jsh1120

"Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer agreed to pay $135,540 to settle federal charges that it violated child labor laws in Connecticut, Arkansas and New Hampshire. As part of the agreement, revealed yesterday after it was secretly signed in January, the Labor Department agreed 'to give Wal-Mart 15 days' notice before the Labor Department investigates any other 'wage and hour' accusations, like failure to pay minimum wage or overtime.'" The benefits of campaign contributions to the Bush administration.

This ad is not displayed to registered and logged-in members. Register your free account today and become a member on RX8Club.com!

Luftwaffle

That's it? Child labor laws broken in 3 states and 135k is the fine? And, they 2 weeks to try to cover more stuff up before more investigations take place? All I can say is, "Argh!"

NomisR

only $135,540?

BlueEyes

Wow, what a joke.
Walmart wants to close down a store in Montreal (I think) that just formed a union. Apparently the store isn't making any money and they cannot afford to deal with a union.

Gigolo Jason

For shame jsh1120, get your facts strait before you post next time. Wal-mart got more corporate tax breaks and import tariff waivers then any other company in history when their home state (Arkansas) governor Bill Clinton was in the White House.

This is not a reflection of politics, this would have happened no matter who was in office so don't try even try to play your "blue state" vs. "red state" card this time. This is a reflection of how corporate America uses lawyers and this countries corrupt legal system to screw the general public.

jsh1120

It's true that WalMart was in the forefront of lobbying for various free trade policies during the Clinton administration. However, there is a quite a difference between successfully lobbying for such trade policies (passed by Congress) and being granted special treatment by a regulatory agency of the Executive Branch.

If you want to trade "facts," we should begin with those.

sjt

Is there an entire article on this? source? I just wanna read the entire thing...

& Walmart sucks it.

Gigolo Jason

Hey, at least we agree that Wal-mart is the evil empire.

Here is an interesting article about Clinton administration policy. Wal-mart is referenced at the bottom. They are a major benefactor to the policies on trade that were written in the mid 1990's.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...ina/trade.html

RolenImportsRX8

I always enjoy "White trash" watching if I go there.

Grabitquick

The settlement amount itself may or may not be alarming--who knows what the DOL and Wal-Mart lawyers negotiated on that in order to avoid litigation. Could depend on many factors. The screwy part is the 15-day notice deal, as if Eliot Ness ever gave Al Capone 15-days notice before busting a speakeasy. It's not just on child labor violations, but basically on ANY labor violations. The Labor Secretary, Elaine Chao, has some explaining to do.

jsh1120

There are a number of media reports about it. The best article I've seen is in the New York Times on February 12.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/12/national/12wage.html?

You may have to register with the NY Times (It's free) to read the article.

scottmhr1

Why so hard up against Walmart. Everyone is out to attack them because they are successful. Hey they supply low prices to most average Americans and give jobs to many that would have none if they were not there. (ughh, yea, the small mom and pops would pay much higher than Walmart, lol, no way) Every company in the world would have a few small errors in payroll etc. with everyone trying to find any fault at all with Walmart they have done a very good job of keeping things above board. You mean Walmart thinks Unions cause problems? Yea look at the steel and auto industries where unions are strong, they are fighting for their lives because of that. People that gang up on Walmart are just ignorant trying to make conspriracy theroies. Oh and not affilliated with them, own stock, or even shop there often.

Silver04RX8

Do not get to upset about it. Personally myself I do not like Wal-mart, but at the same time I do not blame everything on the Bush administration. I am sure that this whole wal-mart issue has been going on for a long time, it is probably being just brought to light. The fifteen days does confuse me a bit, and makes me ask the question why? However, I will wait to see what happens before coming to a conclusion.

colin204

Here is the new websight Walmart has launched to fight back to what the critics are saying www.walmartfacts.com
Below is a copy they ran in over 100 newapapers nation wide in January (sorry if its a repost)

WAL-MART IS WORKING FOR EVERYONE. Some of our critics are working only for themselves.
— Lee Scott, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.January 13,

2005 Wal-Mart provides good jobs with excellent advancement opportunities to our 1.2 million U.S. associates.As one of the world’s most visible companies, Wal-Mart expects attention and criticism. When the criticism is warranted, we use it as a tool to improve the way we operate.But when special-interest groups and critics spread misinformation about Wal-Mart, the public deserves to hear the truth. In other words, everyone is entitled to their own opinions about our company, but they are not entitled to make up their own facts.The truth is Wal-Mart provides great value for customers, opportunities for our workforce, economic support for communities and a helping hand for charities across America. We work hard to make life better for everyone. Can our critics truly say the same?Wal-Mart is committed to those who shop with us every day — many of whom depend on us to provide value for the products they want at the lowest prices possible. Last year, more than 90 percent of Americans — 270 million people — chose to shop at Wal-Mart.Wal-Mart is also working for our associates. It’s time to set the record straight with the real facts about Wal-Mart as a place to work, presented by the people who know — not by people who presume to know.

• This year, we plan to create more than 100,000 new jobs in the United
States. It takes a lot of talent to fuel that growth, which in turn offers
advancement opportunity for associates who want to run some of our
58 in-store departments or move into management.
• We promote from within. Seventy-six percent of our store
management team started at Wal-Mart in hourly positions.
• Our average wage for full-time hourly store associates — such as
cashiers, stockers and sales associates — is almost twice the federal
minimum wage.
• Wal-Mart benefits — available to full- and part-time associates
— include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum.
Associate premiums begin at less than $40 per month for an individual and less than $155 per month for a family, no matter how large.
• Other benefits include a profit-sharing/401(k) plan, merchandise
discounts, company-paid life insurance, vacation pay and pay differential for those in active military service. More than half of our associates own company stock through our associate purchase plan.
• Seventy-four percent of Wal-Mart’s hourly associates in the
United States work full-time. That’s well above the 20 – 40 percent
typically found in the retail industry.
• Our workforce is unique in its size and diversity — from
full-time career professionals to students working their way through
college, from senior citizens seeking a break from retirement to people with disabilities.Given these facts, it is no surprise that more than half of the
associates we surveyed said the benefits package, including
healthcare, was a very important factor in their decision to accept
a position at Wal-Mart.Thank you for being open to the facts about Wal-Mart. You can learn more at a Web site we are launching today — www.walmartfacts.com.

Sincerely,Lee ScottPresident and CEOWal-Mart Stores, Inc.