Walmart Holding Canned Food Drive For Its Own Underpaid Employees

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

"I've asked this question a few times in this thread, but what is your solution to what you think is a company that makes too much money for your liking?  Pass a law forcing them to surrender their profits?"

No, they simply need to quit mooching off the government to provide for their workers.  A good portion of their profits come from your tax dollars and I don't think that's right.  They need to have their tax breaks removed and give a bit more back to their employees so they can live......having a canned food drive for their employees is shitty

[Dos Equis]

No, they simply need to quit mooching off the government to provide for their workers.  A good portion of their profits come from your tax dollars and I don't think that's right.  They need to have their tax breaks removed and give a bit more back to their employees so they can live......having a canned food drive for their employees is shitty

I'm not sure why they are getting subsidies, and without knowing more I don't with agree with giving them subsidies, but they return that money to the government many times over through their billions in taxes, and through the payroll taxes their employees pay.   

How do a good portion of their profits come from our tax dollars? 

What happens if they don't give a bit more back to their employees? 

[pedro01]

That 7 billion dollar is piss in a bucket compared to all of the benefits needed by workers with low pay...welfare, food stamps, reduced housing...etc.  Wal-Mart makes billions and saves billions by making their workers depend on the government with low pay and less hours

Whoa....

How do you know this?

I do not agree with worker exploitation - but where are your numbers that show Wal Mart employees cost the state more than 7 billion dollars?

[Primemuscle]

Walmart gives way more than it receives.  They paid $7.98 billion in taxes in 2012.  Fifth most of any company in the U.S. 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2013/03/17/companies-paying-highest-income-taxes/1991313/

I've asked this question a few times in this thread, but what is your solution to what you think is a company that makes too much money for your liking?  Pass a law forcing them to surrender their profits? 

You didn't ask me, but here's my opinion anyway; Walmart should not have to surrender their excessive profits. Walmart is the "whipping boy" for all businesses who make profits using dubious means, such as not paying employees competitively and sometimes breaking labor laws to save a few more bucks for their share holders. Walmart is huge. They have been frequently sued by employees and the government for unfair labor practices. This puts them in the spotlight (media) more so than other smaller companies which have done as bad or worse in terms of following labor laws and paying people fairly. When someone wants to give an example of unethical business practices, Walmart is a an easy target. Unfortunately, Walmart has a lot of company.....we just don't hear as much about other similar operations.

[Dos Equis]

You didn't ask me, but here's my opinion anyway; Walmart should not have to surrender their excessive profits. Walmart is the "whipping boy" for all businesses who make profits using dubious means, such as not paying employees competitively and sometimes breaking labor laws to save a few more bucks for their share holders. Walmart is huge. They have been frequently sued by employees and the government for unfair labor practices. This puts them in the spotlight (media) more so than other smaller companies which have done as bad or worse in terms of following labor laws and paying people fairly. When someone wants to give an example of unethical business practices, Walmart is a an easy target. Unfortunately, Walmart has a lot of company.....we just don't hear as much about other similar operations.

Thanks for responding.  It's easy to complain.  Much harder to talk about solutions. 

I don't have a problem with any company paying "low" wages, so long as they are following the law.  If a Walmart employee doesn't think they are being paid enough, he or she should find another job.  None of them are slaves. 

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Whoa....

How do you know this?

I do not agree with worker exploitation - but where are your numbers that show Wal Mart employees cost the state more than 7 billion dollars?

You would have to work for Walmart to understand.  I worked there as an Inventory Control Specialist for a brutal year and a half unloading trucks and counting stock after I was laid off from Alltel when I moved to Sylva....only job I could find on short notice and I had to pay off my outstanding debt fast

I was paid a lousy 7.40/hr and was promised 40 hours a week but that eventually turned into about 20-30 hours a week.  In addition, the hours were so random that you simply could not get a second job to make ends meet.  I got a 5% discount on everything in Walmart EXCEPT GROCERIES making it practically useless.  So you do the math....If I worked a max of 30 hours then I made $11,544 a year and that was BEFORE TAXES.....after taxes I was lucky to get about 8000 bucks. 

The biggest thing was that surprised me was that the Human Resources personnel on orientation day handed me all the government forms I needed to fill out for food stamps, assisted living, reduced rent, etc.  In other words, the COUNT on the government to bail them out for their shit wages and standard of living.  I rejected it of course because I still had my business and I'd rather work my way out of debt than accept government assistance. 


There's nothing wrong with profit....however making more money by using the government benefits to your advantage is just wrong

[Dos Equis]

You would have to work for Walmart to understand.  I worked there as an Inventory Control Specialist for a brutal year and a half unloading trucks and counting stock after I was laid off from Alltel when I moved to Sylva....only job I could find on short notice and I had to pay off my outstanding debt fast

I was paid a lousy 7.40/hr and was promised 40 hours a week but that eventually turned into about 20-30 hours a week.  In addition, the hours were so random that you simply could not get a second job to make ends meet.  I got a 5% discount on everything in Walmart EXCEPT GROCERIES making it practically useless.  So you do the math....If I worked a max of 30 hours then I made $11,544 a year and that was BEFORE TAXES.....after taxes I was lucky to get about 8000 bucks. 

The biggest thing was that surprised me was that the Human Resources personnel on orientation day handed me all the government forms I needed to fill out for food stamps, assisted living, reduced rent, etc.  In other words, the COUNT on the government to bail them out for their shit wages and standard of living.  I rejected it of course because I still had my business and I'd rather work my way out of debt than accept government assistance. 


There's nothing wrong with profit....however making more money by using the government benefits to your advantage is just wrong

You should have found another job or not worked there in the first place. 

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

You should have found another job or not worked there in the first place. 

Sylva is a small town.. . Beggars cant be choosers.  Once I got my PT business going I left.  I have no regrets because I never took a dime of government assistance.

[avxo]

Sylva is a small town.. . Beggars cant be choosers.  Once I got my PT business going I left.  I have no regrets because I never took a dime of government assistance.

I can respect that. Kudos.

[Primemuscle]

Thanks for responding.  It's easy to complain.  Much harder to talk about solutions. 

I don't have a problem with any company paying "low" wages, so long as they are following the law.  If a Walmart employee doesn't think they are being paid enough, he or she should find another job.  None of them are slaves. 

Apparently, Walmart doesn't follow the law. They've lost some of the lawsuits filed against them. As for finding another job, if one doesn't like working there, I am sure many do. I bet the employee turnover at Walmart is very high.

[pedro01]

You would have to work for Walmart to understand. 

Err... no...

You said that WalMarts tax contribution was less than the amount it costs the goverment in welfare handouts.

That's math. Show us the numbers you base your claims on.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Err... no...

You said that WalMarts tax contribution was less than the amount it costs the goverment in welfare handouts.

That's math. Show us the numbers you base your claims on.

You don't get it do you.  Walmart intentionally gets its workers on government assistance so they can keep paying them low and keeping the hours low.....otherwise as Beach Bum would state, they would go out and find another higher paying job or they would be forced to raise wages to keep people employed. .....that's how Walmart works.


Walmart isn't the only company that's doing it.  McDonald's, Target, and other companies are getting into the habit of it as well.  Give low wages, low amount of hours, and get them on government assistance, food stamps, Obamaphones, etc  so they'll stay longer.  They are using government dependence as part of the bottom line and to supplement workers pay. 

[pedro01]

You don't get it do you.  Walmart intentionally gets its workers on government assistance so they can keep paying them low and keeping the hours low.....otherwise as Beach Bum would state, they would go out and find another higher paying job or they would be forced to raise wages to keep people employed. .....that's how Walmart works.


Walmart isn't the only company that's doing it.  McDonald's, Target, and other companies are getting into the habit of it as well.  Give low wages, low amount of hours, and get them on government assistance, food stamps, Obamaphones, etc  so they'll stay longer.  They are using government dependence as part of the bottom line and to supplement workers pay. 

Where are the numbers that show the amount of government assistance employees get is greater than their tax burden?

[blacken700]

You don't get it do you.  Walmart intentionally gets its workers on government assistance so they can keep paying them low and keeping the hours low.....otherwise as Beach Bum would state, they would go out and find another higher paying job or they would be forced to raise wages to keep people employed. .....that's how Walmart works.


Walmart isn't the only company that's doing it.  McDonald's, Target, and other companies are getting into the habit of it as well.  Give low wages, low amount of hours, and get them on government assistance, food stamps, Obamaphones, etc  so they'll stay longer.  They are using government dependence as part of the bottom line and to supplement workers pay. 

wow I don't see how anyone can side with walmart on this      oh wait they must be waiting for fox news to tell them that walmart is one of the bad guys  

[Dos Equis]

Apparently, Walmart doesn't follow the law. They've lost some of the lawsuits filed against them. As for finding another job, if one doesn't like working there, I am sure many do. I bet the employee turnover at Walmart is very high.

If they break the law they get held accountable. 

I'm sure the turnover is high, just most like retail stores and fast food places. 

[Primemuscle]

You don't get it do you.  Walmart intentionally gets its workers on government assistance so they can keep paying them low and keeping the hours low.....otherwise as Beach Bum would state, they would go out and find another higher paying job or they would be forced to raise wages to keep people employed. .....that's how Walmart works.


Walmart isn't the only company that's doing it.  McDonald's, Target, and other companies are getting into the habit of it as well.  Give low wages, low amount of hours, and get them on government assistance, food stamps, Obamaphones, etc  so they'll stay longer.  They are using government dependence as part of the bottom line and to supplement workers pay. 

This explains why Walmart HR people give public assistance information to prospective employees during the interview process.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

This explains why Walmart HR people give public assistance information to prospective employees during the interview process.

Yep...they give it to prospects because its basically "free money" to them.  You would also think that Walmart has a high turnover rate which is somewhat true but there are plenty of people that work there for years....the reason is because the jobs require absolutely no skills required, you have no real responsibility, and you have no goals to fulfill....a perfect job for an underachiever.  It doesn't matter how hard you work or how little you work....as long as you act like a drone who doesn't complain or care, you'll have your job period....you stock clothes, electronics, etc.  You don't even have to sell stuff...someone ask for a TV and you point to it.....

When I worked there, I unloaded all the packages from the truck, organized them by depts and wheeled them out to the departments...then scanned all the packages that came back....a total no brainer.  So if you have a job that requires you to do nothing, get every government benefit under the sun, and basically a paycheck that you can spend on anything since you have no bills due to all the fucking government assistance you get....why would you leave to go get a job where it actually requires you to count to ten?  Why would you turn down free housing, Obamaphones, and etc

That's how it works....a bunch of drones dependent on the government thanks to greedy companies that want to increase their profit margin with your tax dollars.  Remember the Soylent Green is people....

[Wolfox]

Somehow costco manages to have cheap prices - often cheaper than walmart - and yet still pay their employees a livable wage. And don't tell me it's because they are charge a messily 50 dollar membership.   Not to mention their costco kirkland brand of everything from food to clothing is ace quality.  

I support Costco as much as I can. I drive an extra 10 miles to shop there instead of the alternatives.

It's possible for Walmart to do the same .... it's just not in their agenda or business philosophy to give a fuck about their employees. 

[Shockwave]

Somehow costco manages to have cheap prices - often cheaper than walmart - and yet still pay their employees a livable wage. And don't tell me it's because they are charge a messily 50 dollar membership.   Not to mention their costco kirkland brand of everything from food to clothing is ace quality.  

I support Costco as much as I can. I drive an extra 10 miles to shop there instead of the alternatives.

It's possible for Walmart to do the same .... it's just not in their agenda or business philosophy to give a fuck about their employees.  

Correct. And I don't support them (walmart) by shopping elsewhere.

But unlike others in this thread, I don't believe they should be forced to pay their employees more just because its a "low wage job". Not every job is going to be a livable wage, especially unskilled jobs like working a register or stocking shelves. If people don't want to work at walmart, don't. Get a job elsewhere, get an education, learn a trade... something. But don't work at a shit place and then bitch about not getting paid enough for doing a shit job.

As long as Walmart isn't breaking any labor laws and paying at least miminum wage, then they can do whatever they want. I personally refuse to shop there, and would never work there... and I've had friends that worked there and said it was an ok job for being an unskilled labor job, benefits were so/so and they had flexible hours since they were in college..

for gods sake it's a typical retail unskilled job, much like the food industry. Low wage, not quite enough hours, not so great benefits.... but it paid their bills while they were working on moving onward and upward. It's not a fucking career.

People are so out of touch in this day and age, they want to be paid a middle class skilled wage to do a shit job that any moron could be hired off the street to do. Entitlement complex at it's finest.

[Dos Equis]

Somehow costco manages to have cheap prices - often cheaper than walmart - and yet still pay their employees a livable wage. And don't tell me it's because they are charge a messily 50 dollar membership.   Not to mention their costco kirkland brand of everything from food to clothing is ace quality.  

I support Costco as much as I can. I drive an extra 10 miles to shop there instead of the alternatives.

It's possible for Walmart to do the same .... it's just not in their agenda or business philosophy to give a fuck about their employees. 

Costoc is evil.  I drop about $200 or more every time I set foot in that place.  I'll even go in with a list of like three items and still wind up spending over $100.  I think they're pumping in some kind of subliminal message into the store or something.  

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Somehow costco manages to have cheap prices - often cheaper than walmart - and yet still pay their employees a livable wage. And don't tell me it's because they are charge a messily 50 dollar membership.   Not to mention their costco kirkland brand of everything from food to clothing is ace quality.  

I support Costco as much as I can. I drive an extra 10 miles to shop there instead of the alternatives.

It's possible for Walmart to do the same .... it's just not in their agenda or business philosophy to give a fuck about their employees. 

Yep...because the business model is for the long run....rather than the shareholders....if you bought stock in Costco for 10k twenty years ago then it would only be worth 50k today....not a huge return compared to other companies.  Costco makes profit by earning the trust of the customers but its workers.

[Primemuscle]

Correct. And I don't support them (walmart) by shopping elsewhere.

But unlike others in this thread, I don't believe they should be forced to pay their employees more just because its a "low wage job". Not every job is going to be a livable wage, especially unskilled jobs like working a register or stocking shelves. If people don't want to work at walmart, don't. Get a job elsewhere, get an education, learn a trade... something. But don't work at a shit place and then bitch about not getting paid enough for doing a shit job.

As long as Walmart isn't breaking any labor laws and paying at least miminum wage, then they can do whatever they want. I personally refuse to shop there, and would never work there... and I've had friends that worked there and said it was an ok job for being an unskilled labor job, benefits were so/so and they had flexible hours since they were in college..

for gods sake it's a typical retail unskilled job, much like the food industry. Low wage, not quite enough hours, not so great benefits.... but it paid their bills while they were working on moving onward and upward. It's not a fucking career.

People are so out of touch in this day and age, they want to be paid a middle class skilled wage to do a shit job that any moron could be hired off the street to do. Entitlement complex at it's finest.

Actually I suspect the issue is that these "shit" jobs,as you put it,are becoming much more prevalent today as we move away from being an industrialized nation and into a service orientated one. Many manufacturing jobs have moved oversees to third world countries where the companies can hire workers for a fraction of what they would pay them in the U.S. One can certainly make a case for businesses doing what provides them the highest returns, whether it is moving operations to other countries or hiring people at low wages to do minimally skilled service jobs. On the other hand, one has to wonder as the middle class shrinks, the number of working poor grows and the top 1% keeps getting richer, where this will end up for the U.S.  Well, our nation transitioned from people living mainly off the land and farming to being industrialized with only some minor hiccups like the Great Depression and the dust bowl. Perhaps we will weather the shift to a nation of service workers with part time jobs and no benefits too. I am just having a lot of difficulty figuring out how this could all work out well. Maybe some of you wise folks could help me out here.

[Primemuscle]

Costoc is evil.  I drop about $200 or more every time I set foot in that place.  I'll even go in with a list of like three items and still wind up spending over $100.  I think they're pumping in some kind of subliminal message into the store or something.  

Same here. I was there just yesterday for a couple of items. $250 later I was loading the car with enough stuff to feed us for the next year.

[RRKore]

Costoc is evil.  I drop about $200 or more every time I set foot in that place.  I'll even go in with a list of like three items and still wind up spending over $100.  I think they're pumping in some kind of subliminal message into the store or something.  

This!   

Especially since if you see something that you kind of like then the tendency is to buy more than you need because you don't know if you'll see that product again.  (I am the proud owner of 6 XXL Jamaica button-up shirts, lol.)

[pedro01]

Actually I suspect the issue is that these "shit" jobs,as you put it,are becoming much more prevalent today as we move away from being an industrialized nation and into a service orientated one. Many manufacturing jobs have moved oversees to third world countries where the companies can hire workers for a fraction of what they would pay them in the U.S. One can certainly make a case for businesses doing what provides them the highest returns, whether it is moving operations to other countries or hiring people at low wages to do minimally skilled service jobs.

True - but the manufacturing, service AND R&D jobs are moving away from the US. It's not just low cost manufacturing that's moving.

I have a team that is more than capable of taking on a full project start to end, on their own, without much input from me and that includes the planning and discussions with the customers to ensure they get what they want.

It's far from just the low end grunt work leaving the US.