Wal-Mart

The impotence of the federal health and safety law, known as OSHA, is so extreme that it would be comical --- if the consequences weren't so utterly tragic.

After the horrific trampling death of Wal-Mart employee Jdimytai Damour, Brandworkers and many others pointed out the predictable nature of his death: Wal-Mart juices up its customers with marketing tactics to create a door-busting rush on Black Friday yet fails to implement even the most rudimentary plan to deal with the onslaught.

OSHA actually agreed and cited Wal-Mart for failing to implement reasonable crowd control measures to manage the predictable risk. But here's the kicker: OSHA is fining Wal-Mart just $7,000 for the violation. That's not a typo.

What more can we say? The one and only way that retail workers can protect their safety is to get organized and fight for safeguards, rather than relying on the government.

In November, the Brandworkers blog reported on the death of Jdimytai Damour, a 34-year-old man who was trampled to death by the Black Friday crowds while he worked a temporary position at a Wal-Mart store in Long Island.

Yesterday, Wal-Mart cut a deal with Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice to pay $2 million and implement a new safety plan at 92 of its locations. In exchange for this, Wal-Mart will not face criminal charges, and Mr. Damour's family would have to waive their right to bring a separate civil suit against Wal-Mart if they participate in the victim's fund. (Associated Press)

Whew, it's been a busy week for Wal-Mart!

Last week we blogged about a case in which Wal-Mart settled a $54 million lawsuit in Minnesota. Now, Wal-Mart has settled 63 more lawsuits, again for violating wage and hours laws such as forcing employees to work off the clock.

In Minnesota, Current and former Wal-Mart workers recently won a class action lawsuit for back wages.

Update Brandworkers launches petition calling on Nassau Country District Attorney to Investigate Wal-Mart and its senior executives in the killing.

Congratulations to the workers and their union for winning their contract! Predictably, Wal-Mart is already implying it will seek to get out of the government-imposed labor agreement in Quebec. A Wal-Mart human rights official reportedly has threatened to shut down the automotive department. (New York Times)

UPDATE: Wal-Mart has despicably carried through on its threat to close down its newly unionized department in Quebec. The lengths this company will go to in order to maintain its low-wage, absolute control brand of employee relations is mind-boggling. (UFCW Canada)