New York Times Columnist Couldn’t Have Expected Walmart’s Epic Response

[bonnie]

New York Times Columnist Couldn’t Have Expected Walmart’s Epic Response to Hit Piece: ‘Hope This Helps’

Jun. 23, 2014 8:43pm Jason Howerton

New York Times columnist Timothy Egan got an unexpected response from Walmart after he attempted to smear the corporation in a “wildly inaccurate” article.

David Tovar, Walmart’s VP of corporate communications, edited Egan’s piece like a high school English teacher, noting all the errors in red.

“Thanks for sharing your first draft. Below are a few thoughts to ensure something inaccurate doesn’t get published,” Tovar wrote. “Hope this helps.”

After pointing out that Walmart is the “largest tax payer in America” that has hired more than 42,000 veterans this year and pays the average full-time associate $12.91 an hour, the corporation then provided a “better idea for a piece.”

“Could focus on bringing back U.S. manufacturing (Walmart is buying $250 billion in US products over 10 years) and expanding education, training and workforce development programs. i.e. things that will make a bigger difference, not just focusing on starting wages.”

Read the whole thing here:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/06/...pe-this-helps/?

[Bravus]

http://www.salon.com/2014/06/25/walmart_...e_to_the_times/

[bonnie]

http://www.salon.com/2014/06/25/walmart_...e_to_the_times/

[bonnie]

Quote:

Taking into account Wal-Mart’s own data, 525,000 of the company’s 1,000,000 full-time hourly employees earn less than $25,000 a year.

Oddly, David Tovar disputes the claim that “Walmart’s business model forces thousands of hard working people to look for outside help just to get by” with nothing more than a slash of ink. If this document were handwritten I would attribute this notation to a red marker accidentally hitting the page.

Wal Mart is not forcing anyone.These hard working people are expecting a entry level position to support a family.

We have three super Wal-Mart centers,one 3 miles,one 9 miles and one 13 miles from us.The vast majority of employees are women that have not previously worked,have gone to work because of the economy.They have indeed kept many off the welfare roles,supplementing a reduction in their husband's wage. Many were looking for and receiving outside help before they were hired. I am in Wal-Mart 2-3 times a week and have gotten to know fairly well most of the employees in the dept.'s I shop in.

Yes,the biggest problem at Wal-Mart is employees that believe they should be paid a skilled labor wage without having a skill

[bonnie]

Quote:

In fact, a Politifact post citing Wal-Mart quotes Furman stating, “like other retailers and employers of less-skilled workers, does not pay does not pay enough for a family to live the dignified life Americans have come to expect and demand.”

Since when has a employee been able to demand what he wants?

First,those like little Miss Amy need to prepare herself by having enough value to make any demands.Assuming she is of average intelligence and health,she may find it beneficial to get off her backside and take advantage of the many educational programs for unwed mothers.There are grants and very low cost loans.Some take advantage of that,others spend their time crying about the unfairness of the evil Wal-mart

Paying a living wage for unskilled entry level positions would mean roughly 20.00. What about those above that position,how much would theirs have to rise in order to compensate for skill and experience?

Quote:

The “fact check” also notes Wal-Mart is going to spend $250 billion over the next 10 years buying American-made products. That’s a positive development, not only for the companies that manufacture these goods, but also for an American supply chain that needs to be rebuilt after years of being decimated by imports. At the same time, it’s a drop in the bucket — averaging out over 10 years to 5 percent of the company’s net sales.

Try to buy made in USA for most things you purchase here.

I recently was shopping for a item I could not get at Wal-Mart. Stopped at Target for something else and checked.Every item I picked up had Sri-Linka,Thailand,China,Japan on the label. Samw as Wal-Mart.Went to a high end clothing store where a 100.00 dress was a bargain.Again,every label read the same as Wal-Mart, not one made in the US. Do you believe the high end store was compensating those that actually produced the garments or were they part of the evil crowd that was making a higher profit? Interesting that they had a "help wanted" poster in their window.Starting wage 8.95 an hour

I actually found one of their items on Amazon for less than half with free shipping.Funny how that works

Quote:

Most upsetting about David Tovar’s screed is the missed opportunity it represents. Wal-Mart isn’t going away and any conversation about wages, manufacturing and the reliance on public benefits by the employees of America’s largest corporations is ultimately going to include its participation. This latest salvo seems to indicate it remains intent on making it as unproductive a conversation as possible.

I for one,hope Wal-Mart does not go away.It would seriously cut into my own business.To say nothing of the added cost burden to those who buy from me

[Bravus]

http://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/1%20Timothy%205%3A18

[bonnie]

http://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/1%20Timothy%205%3A18

So tell me,have you determined what this should be for unskilled labor? “Workers are worth their pay.”

When I worked at the home Improvement center,unskilled part time,

there were several that did the barest minimum possible to avoid getting fired.Of course they were the first to yell unfair when they did not receive the bonuses the rest of us did. According to what you seem to have said so far those workers should

receive the minimum in a living wage,around 20.00 an hour?

There should not be a learning curve to job and wage advancement? Perhaps Miss Amy should be paid for her irresponsible behavior and lack of pushing hard to advance herself into a living wage? Many options are available to unwed mothers,but of course it takes a desire to do something for yourself while holding your hand out.

What Wal-mart pays is within line of market demands.

If all cashiers were to be paid 20.00 an hour,with those above them receiving the equivalent raise,what do you believe would happen to prices.

I went fabric shopping this morning,this is a national fabric chain. They pay comparable to start as Wal-Mart for cashiers and sales clerks.That tells part of the story. Their actual pay exceeds minimum wage by a considerable amount.The workers worthy of their pay receive substantial bonuses. Again there are those that do enough to get by,as shoppers we tend to avoid them when we can.

It was also interesting to see they are also making an attempt to by "Made in USA"

The difference in cost is substantial. If I were forced to pay 12.99-14.99 per yard of fabric I would be out of business. Those that buy from me could no longer afford to do so and would be forced to buy the inferior product from China.That would help our labor force.

The store trying to pay 20.00 an hour for unskilled labor would not have the work staff they have,many jobs would be cut.

The text you quoted does not indicate that every worker be paid a minimum amount.

If you accept a job at 10.00 an hour,you should be paid the ten an hour.If that is the value of the job,that is what you should be paid.

That doesn't say the worker will decide what he is worth based on his personal circumstances.Many times as with Miss Amy,she constructed her circumstances.Even so,unwed mothers like her are given options and many people helping to pay for their options.

[bonnie]

So tell me how we have come to the point, no matter what the job,or the level of skill or lack of it,each and every job shall pay a living wage to support a family?

Those hired for low skill jobs are not promised to meet the expectations of what a employee needs or thinks they need.

[Aliensanctuary]

If everyone were paid a "living wage" including fast food and Walmart type jobs, perhaps only politicians, bureaucrats, and those who are paid much more than a living wage could afford to buy anything.

I don't believe, though, that CEO's and financiers, especially, should be paid multi-million dollar salaries and bonuses while at the same time their employees suffer from low pay. Maybe they're just too greedy to even care anything about the peons making them rich.

[Gregory Matthews]

The Swedish company, Ikea issued a statement yesterday (June 26) that is of interest in this discussion:

Beginning January 1, 2015, the minimum wage in all of its 38 U.S. stores will be determined locally, but, of course, never less than the required minimum wage for that location.

For example, as related to its store located in Centennial (Denver Metro area) which employees 350 workers:

The Federal minimum age will be $ 7.25 per hour.

The Colorado minimum wage will be $8.00 per hour.

Ikea will pay a minimum wage of $9.27 per hour.

Ikea says that more than 90% of the 350 employees currently make more than the Colorado minimum wage of $8.00 per hour.

Nationally this change will bring Ikea employees to an average minimum wage of $10.76 per hour.

Ikea also says that this change will NOT increase costs of the items that it sells, in part due to the fact that this is expected to reduce employee turnover.

[bonnie]

If everyone were paid a "living wage" including fast food and Walmart type jobs, perhaps only politicians, bureaucrats, and those who are paid much more than a living wage could afford to buy anything.

I don't believe, though, that CEO's and financiers, especially, should be paid multi-million dollar salaries and bonuses while at the same time their employees suffer from low pay. Maybe they're just too greedy to even care anything about the peons making them rich.

What a CEO of a company is paid is none of your business. What is your business as a potential employee is using entry level jobs just for what they are meant. Learning job skills,supplementing your families income.

Miss Amy in the second article has learned that she can engage in behavior that results in a child,work at Wal-Mart and have taxpayers pay for her child.

Wal-Mart is not keeping her at entry level employment.

Those CEO's have learned a lot more than entry level skills to be earning the salaries they do.

My sons,while falling far short of the multi million dollar bonuses you refer to,do earn substantial bonuses over and above what the entry level employee's earn.There is a reason for that.They have earned their dues,gone thru the hardships of getting to where they are.The typical employee puts i n his eight,goes home and forgets about responsibility till the next day. My sons are on call 24/7 365 days a year. The mistakes of employees are theirs.The final responsibility for many hundreds of employee's is theirs.

[bonnie]

The Swedish company, Ikea issued a statement yesterday (June 26) that is of interest in this discussion:

Beginning January 1, 2015, the minimum wage in all of its 38 U.S. stores will be determined locally, but, of course, never less than the required minimum wage for that location.

For example, as related to its store located in Centennial (Denver Metro area) which employees 350 workers:

The Federal minimum age will be $ 7.25 per hour.

The Colorado minimum wage will be $8.00 per hour.

Ikea will pay a minimum wage of $9.27 per hour.

Ikea says that more than 90% of the 350 employees currently make more than the Colorado minimum wage of $8.00 per hour.

Nationally this change will bring Ikea employees to an average minimum wage of $10.76 per hour.

Ikea also says that this change will NOT increase costs of the items that it sells, in part due to the fact that this is expected to reduce employee turnover.

Miss Amy in the second article is already at almost that level and it is not considered a living wage.

The three young families I mentioned are each at 20.00 per hour or just under. Two pay 800.00 per month rent. Two children.

You need at least this to raise a family without help. These are not highly skilled but you need more than entry level skills.Mothers do not work outside the home.

While I really applaud them for their work ethic and for being as frugal as they are,and doing everything possible to move up from that,they knew where these babies came from and knew they had to be cared for.

Instead of demanding that entry level employment meet their demands they have taken the personal responsibility to be in a position to demand more money.

This $10.76 per hour doesn't cut it as a living wage.In some area's this may only move them off the coveted welfare roles

without sustaining a family.

For entry level jobs to sustain a family they have to go far above that.

[bonnie]

Key Facts About the Minimum Wage

By Erin Shannon, Director, Center for Small Business, October, 2013

The debate over raising the minimum wage is being widely discussed around the state right now. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and Washington State’s minimum wage is $9.32 – the highest of any state in the nation. A political movement is underway to increase the minimum wage at the federal and state level to as high as $15.00 per hour. The purpose of this paper is to provide basic facts about minimum wage policy and to provide background for this ongoing national and state-level public debate.

The minimum wage was established by Congress in the Fair Labor Standards Act passed in 1938. From the beginning, policymakers never intended the minimum wage be the sole source of household income or provide “livable” support for a family. Rather, the intent was to ensure a reasonable wage for workers who could not command higher pay in the labor market because they had little or no work skills, such as young people just entering the work force.

Accordingly, current data shows that very few workers earn the minimum wage. Of those who do earn the minimum, most are young, are usually enrolled in school and work part time. Very few minimum wage earners are the sole providers for a family. Most older minimum wage earners are secondary earners working part-time to supplement the income of a spouse. It is the combined earnings of two or more earners that typically provides total household income.

Snapshot of Minimum Wage Earners in Washington State

The average family income of a minimum wage earner in Washington State is $47,540.

In Washington State, just 8 percent of minimum wage earners are single parents with children.

Nearly 60 percent of minimum wage earners in Washington State live with a family member or have a spouse who also works.

In Washington State, fewer than 4 percent of minimum wage workers have a college degree.

Who earns the minimum wage?

Less than 3 percent of all workers in the U.S. earn the federal minimum wage

This does not include tip income earned by these minimum wage earners; many of these workers, mostly in the service industry, earn more than the minimum wage when tip income is included.

85 percent of workers who earn minimum wage live with their parents or another relative, live alone or have a working spouse.

25 percent are single or married with no kids

42 percent live with a relative

18 percent are a second income earner who is married, with or without children

15 percent are sole earners in families with children.

4 percent are single-parents working full time.

Only 3 percent of all workers age 25 and over earn the minimum wage.

Only 2 percent of full-time workers earn the minimum wage.

66 percent of all adult workers earning the minimum wage have a high school education or less.

62 percent of minimum wage earners under 25 are currently enrolled in school.

Do Most Minimum Wage Earners Live in Poverty?

No. The average family income of a minimum wage earner is $53,000 per year.

In 94 percent of families with an adult who works a job that pays at or below the minimum wage, the spouse works as well, making a two-income household.

In 8 out of 10 of the families with children present, the minimum wage accounts for less than 20 percent of the household’s total income.

Two-thirds of adults living below the poverty line do not work.

Only 9 percent of adults living below the poverty line work full time.

25 percent of adults living below the poverty line work part time.

Are Most Minimum Wage Earners Stuck in a “Dead End” Job?

No. Two-thirds of minimum wage earners receive a raise within a year.

Over half of Americans entered the workforce earning within one dollar of the minimum wage.

A minimum wage worker who works 35 or more hours per week is 13 percent more likely to be promoted within a year than a minimum wage worker at 10 hours per week.

What Happens to Employment When the Minimum Wage is Raised?

Employment for low-skilled workers tends to decline when the minimum wage is raised. A summary of the last two decades of research from economists at the University of California-Irvine and the Federal Reserve Board found that 85% of the most credible studies on the minimum wage point to job loss for less-skilled employees.

A study from Ball State University found there were 550,000 fewer part-time jobs as a result of the 40 percent increase in the federal minimum wage between July 2007-July 2009.

A study of New Jersey’s minimum wage increase found that the higher wage resulted in reduced employment. An earlier study by David Card and Alan Krueger claiming that the increase created jobs was found to be based on a significantly flawed dataset.

Economists from Miami and Trinity University found the 2007-2009 increase in the federal minimum wage reduced teen employment by 6.9 percent.

Labor policy researchers at Cornell University found a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage caused four times more employment loss for employees without a high school diploma and African American young adults than it does for more educated and non-black employees.

Does A Higher Minimum Wage Reduce Poverty?

The connection is weak or non-existent. 28 states raised their minimum wage between 2003 and 2007. A study by economists from Cornell and American University showed no associated reduction in poverty, and that further increases in the minimum wage would similarly do little to reduce poverty.

A study by the Employment Policies Institute shows increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.80 would poorly target the low-income families they are intended to help.

A study by economists from San Diego State University and University of Georgia found no evidence that a higher minimum wage helped reduce financial, housing, health or food insecurity.

Does a Higher Minimum Wage Stimulate the Economy?

There is little or no relation between an increased minimum wage and economic growth. Three economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago found an increase in the minimum wage spurs a temporary increase in spending on vehicle purchases, but no increase in the ongoing purchase of non-durable goods, such as groceries, fuel and clothing.

Research from an economist at San Diego State University found no relationship between an increase in the minimum wage and changes in Gross Domestic Product.

Download a PDF of Key Facts about the Minimum Wage including all sources here.

Labor & Employment

Publications

[fccool]

[phkrause]

Well that was interesting for sure. I can remember that in Lancaster, MA, Walmart got voted down twice. Both times they went to neighboring towns and got in. It is sad that quite a number of small businesses went belly up. From what I saw though, is, those small businesses kept laying people off, so when Walmart promised jobs! Guess what? They got voted in and they did supply many more jobs for the people who were out of work. Not only did they supply many more jobs, but they also redid roadways to make access to and from Walmart better, in both towns that they invaded!!

[bonnie]

Well that was interesting for sure. I can remember that in Lancaster, MA, Walmart got voted down twice. Both times they went to neighboring towns and got in. It is sad that quite a number of small businesses went belly up. From what I saw though, is, those small businesses kept laying people off, so when Walmart promised jobs! Guess what? They got voted in and they did supply many more jobs for the people who were out of work. Not only did they supply many more jobs, but they also redid roadways to make access to and from Walmart better, in both towns that they invaded!!

Those small businesses usually had only a hand full of employees.

In addition you could not get most items you wanted in one store,

the buyer needed to go from store to store.

Those that can't adapt and compete don't make it.

Is it only Wal-Mart that causes such venom or does this involve a multitude of companies,paying basically the same entry level wage as the dreaded Wal-mart? Keeping their expenses as low as possible to maximize profits.

I live in a small town of 10,000. When we first moved here our phone service was provided by a family owned company.Service was good and prices reasonable.They sold to a larger company and satisfaction went down hill rapidly. This company is really hurting at the moment,having lost thousands of customers.Cell phones and Magic Jack have been the service of choice. Funny how no one is demonizing those that came in and offered better for cheaper.Why is that?

The town three miles from me and the one nine miles from me had an almost identical situation. Wal-Mart sells very reasonably priced fabric in their super center stores at these locations. Both locations also had small specialty fabric shops.One closed within six months,very bitter about Wal-Mart putting her out of business. She never exceeded one full time and one part time employee's. The other has several full time and not only is still in business but has expanded,which she laughingly thanks Wal-Mart for. The reasons are obvious. One changed her way of doing business and offered what Wal-Mart did not.She has a thriving business in offering classes,also has an online section that provides very reasonable alternatives to Wal-Mart.

I regularly am at sewing machine dealers which also sell supplies for what I do. I use a lot of specialty threads. If I absolutely need a certain color I will buy one spool at between 4.99-6.99 per spool.

Otherwise I go to those that sell far below. I can purchase 63 spools of the same product for 49.99,less than eighty cents a spool with free shipping most of the time.Who do you think gets the bulk of my business? Those shops that are doing the best have adapted and provided much cheaper online sales than the walk-ins get.

Again,I don't hear anything negative about those that offer it far cheaper. Shouldn't they be demonized for their business practices,same as Wal_Mart?

A family owned grocery store,one that had passed from father to son and then to grandson. Cub grocery moved in and within a few months the family owned store was gone. No one demonized Cub. Why not? Cub employ's dozen's more than the family owned.

[LifeHiscost]

According to this below, soon no one will have to worry about the demons that be.

http://www.thepropheticyears.com/comments/Imminent%20danger%201%20-%20Electromagnetic%20Pulse%20explosion%20%28EMP%29%20over%20the%20United%20States.htm

Quote:

Therefore, since the danger are real, All people in the United States should have on hand or have ready access to at least six months of food and water. The sure way of escaping such a judgment is for the people of the United States to voluntarily stop all their wickedness and seek God's protection but I just do not see that happening.

Documentation that this EMP threat is very real

I am not pulling this imminent threat to the United States out of thin air. A commission of top experts was appointed by the U.S. congress right after the 9/11 attack. They were commissioned to report to them on this EMP threat. The report was given to the congress in 2004 AD. The report is below and it gives all the details you may never want to know. Other intelligence sources have also written about this grave threat to the United States.

God cares! Jesus saves!

[phkrause]

I'm not one to demonize Walmart. I think they have benefited many areas as well as hurt areas they have come into.