So recently we sent our members an e-mail telling them about the New York Times story that totally ignores all your hard work. We asked them to e-mail the New York Time and tell them they'd gotten the story wrong, that the movement is far from 'slowing down' and that Wal-Mart doesn't get a free pass just because they say so. Some of your fellow activist's letters to the New York Times are below, but I want to encourage all of you to click on the box to the right and write your own letter to the New York Times. The real story wasn't told by The Times, but your voice can still be heard. Write The New York Times today. Tell them you have not stopped working to make Wal-Mart a responsible corporation.
Here are some of the letters already sent:
K. B. writes
As a lifetime reader and long time subscriber of the NYT, I have loved it for it's "liberal bias." You have traveled so far from your roots. First backing the Iraq War, now becoming corporate hacks. The article today on Walmart was such a disservice to the workers and labor in general. Those of us who care about the workers have NOT given up the fight. I will not shop in Walmart. And I am getting close to giving up on the NYT.
T. K. writes This is sad. A lot of people are trying to affect positive change. It is truly unfortunate your publication has chosen to dismiss our efforts and promote the corporation over the individual.
S. S. writes I, for one, am not done being part of the citizens of this state, and this country, to protest WalMart's ongoing abuses.
J. L. writes Both of my children have worked at WalMart. I know what this company is up to and let me tell you, "it ain't over 'til it's over". This is just the beginning of the fight.
E. B. writes Wal-Mart still has a huge sex discrimination suit pending. More workers may be offered health insurance, but that doesn't help if they can't afford the premiums. We know too many workers who still have only part-time hours. The Times has an obligation to tell the whole story.
Posted by Taylor - June 6, 2008 04:45 PM - Action
I cannot believe that you people spend so much time trying to force a company that you do not own to do your bidding. Wal-Mart is successful because it does exactly what people want it to do. You do not have to work at Wal-Mart, drive your Japanese automobile to its parking lot or walk in your Chinese-made shoes through its doors. Wal-Mart does not need to change, and this union-sponsored website and "campaign" is totally aimed at forcing a company to let you unionize its workers so that you can have the dues. You are a business yourself; but because you are driven by "ideals" like "fairness," you can get these poor schmucks, many of whom you don't pay, to go out and "campaign" against Wal-Mart. What a waste of time. Unions have driven up manufacturing costs so much that American manufacturers are not competitive. You think people wouldn't buy a high-quality American-made inflatable swimming pool if we produced one? American companies don't go out of business or move jobs to Mexico just out of spite. They can't afford to pay union wages and still compete! Why? Because American consumers will find that "better deal" and buy foreign products. Wal-Mart is not the problem. Perhaps the products that it sells are a symptom, but not the disease. It's like doctors declaring a war on tumors instead of a war on cancer. As long as people are willing to work there, then they will work there, we will shop there, and you are wasting my time and yours trying to enforce socialism on a company that you have no ownership in. This is the land of the free... including the freedom to manage your business as you wish. I say rock on, Wal-Mart... and when your business model no longer works, you will adapt and change and survive, or you will go the way of K-Mart. I post this in the full expectation that the propagandists will not allow it to survive. Stalin wouldn't tolerate dissent, either. Good day.
Posted by Mr Off - June 10, 2008 04:47 PM
First, if you are going to comment on this site, take your simplistic red-baiting elsewhere. Learn some political theory if you are going to throw 'socialist' and 'Stalin' around. This campaign does not suggest that the workers take over the company and run it, only that they get a fair wage and decent benefits so they can support a family. It's actually quite capitalistic in outlook because it accepts Wal-Mart as a legitimate entity that needs to change slightly.
Second, this campaign is not about unionizing Wal-Mart. When the company has an entire unit dedicated to spying on employees attempting to organize, and is willing to shut down entire stores to prevent unions, what is the point? This campaign is about changing Wal-Mart because as the company stands now, it is bad for its employees, bad for its customers, and bad for America.
Posted by BackStageLeftist - June 11, 2008 09:51 AM
BackStageLeftist:
I must disagree with you. If Wal-mart is really that bad for EVERYONE, I don't believe they would be the FORTUNE ONE company in America. I personally have stopped shopping at Wal-mart do to some beliefs of my own but Wal-mart has done and is doing something right. The are number one and they are because, no matter what you all say they have apparently won the heart of America. Otherwise some other company would be in 1st place.
Posted by Mike - July 18, 2008 10:38 AM
Why are you wasting your money buying ads in the NY Times? No one reads that liberal rag. Look at their subscription numbers. In the toilet! That is a clear indication that no one wants to read their liberal biased propaganda. Sort of like this website.
What labor union is paying for this site by the way?
Posted by Union Member - August 4, 2008 04:25 PM