| Wal-Mart Bows to Unions, Copies GM Success Formula |
by DesertRat66 |
2005-05-04 09:32:02 |
from a commercial site named ScrappleFace:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
by Scott Ott
(2005-05-04) -- Wal-Mart Stores today surrendered to pressure from labor unions to increase hourly pay for its workers, and began a new corporate campaign to emulate the historical success of the U.S. auto industry.
"Our union critics were right," said H. Lee Scott Jr., Wal-Mart's chief executive, "We have an obligation to behave like General Motors did in the 1960s. And we've come to believe that the discount retail industry is primed for a chain that pays high wages to create the perception of high value through high-priced products. In addition, our focus groups indicate that Wal-Mart customers yearn for the emotional payoff that comes from providing bigger paychecks to the folks in the blue vests."
As part of the reengineering of the company, Wal-Mart will change its slogan from 'Always Low Prices' to 'Always Union Wages'. Prices will be marked up throughout the store, and many products will receive stickers indicating their higher perceived value with words like 'deluxe,' 'grand' and 'limited edition'.
In the short-term, analysts said that investors can expect to see their $48/share Wal-Mart stock (WMT) "level out" around $3 and then begin its upward climb as the store reestablishes its brand identity as the place where Americans shop to provide higher-wage jobs for less fortunate Americans.
"The unions have helped us to understand that we've been looking at the retailing business backward for 50 years," the CEO said. "We mistakenly thought it was all about providing a good selection at the lowest prices so people would shop with us. But what customers really want is the good feeling they get by providing a higher living standard for cashiers, shelf stockers and people greeters. Clearly, our primary responsibility is to pay higher wages so that our workers can afford our subsequently higher prices, or at least be able to buy from other retailers that pay their employees less."
Mr. Scott painted a visionary picture of the new progressive Wal-Mart.
"When our typical shopper pushes her cart full of 'Deluxe Tide' and 'Limited Edition Pampers' out the door, she'll smile when she sees our Wal-Mart Associates' parking area filled with late-model GM trucks and SUVs. Ain't that America?" |
|
[ Reply ] |
|
Nonsense. Retail needs unions. | by shminux | 2005-05-04 09:46:25 |
|
But | by maceogan | 2005-05-04 09:54:18 |
|
Um, living in a RtW state, and working for a | by merlin | 2005-05-04 10:24:59 |
|
In single site where a large part of | by maceogan | 2005-05-04 10:41:28 |
|
We are a national company, with work | by merlin | 2005-05-04 10:50:07 |
|
Large Retail Outlet Unionises | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 10:07:35 |
|
large retail outlet DOESN'T Unionize | by voxwoman | 2005-05-04 10:17:35 |
|
hmmm | by Reddy | 2005-05-04 10:26:16 |
|
When was the last time you walked into Wal Mart? | by nedludd | 2005-05-04 11:11:32 |
|
That is the people who they try to hire | by Reddy | 2005-05-04 11:25:51 |
|
Those who work at ours are | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:28:29 |
|
Depending on location, there may not be options | by nedludd | 2005-05-04 11:44:23 |
|
We have no buses here | by Reddy | 2005-05-04 12:00:22 |
|
all the factory jobs went out of the country | by tallastro | 2005-05-04 12:10:42 |
|
In other words lose, lose? | by DesertRat66 | 2005-05-04 10:35:32 |
|
What are you on? | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 10:50:09 |
|
That's the way the world is now | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 10:55:12 |
|
I don't work for any store. | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:00:59 |
|
My, someone here is brainwashed. | by shminux | 2005-05-04 11:01:24 |
|
um did I say there wasn't a problem? | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:07:04 |
|
Does the kool-aid taste good? (n/t) | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:10:16 |
|
what? (n/t) | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:11:43 |
|
Summary of what you said: | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:12:41 |
|
um no, read again, and think about it | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:14:21 |
|
Exactly. | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:18:02 |
|
Why the hell do you keep saying kool aid? | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:21:29 |
|
You're drinking the government's kool-aid. | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:24:00 |
|
Whatever, not in the mood for this childishness | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:26:09 |
|
In simple words: | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:28:24 |
|
So your saying raising wages doesn't raise prices? | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:30:02 |
|
Do you have ANY understanding at ALL of economics? (n/t) | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:30:50 |
|
yes, do you? | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:31:58 |
|
Then explain why you have no conception of... | by McNutcase | 2005-05-04 11:34:12 |
|
uh, maybe becuase were talking about walmart? | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:37:49 |
|
kool-aid, I believe is hir calling you "childish" | by carthax | 2005-05-04 11:34:50 |
|
Kool-aid is a Jonestown reference, iirc. (n/t) | by esbita | 2005-05-04 11:36:26 |
|
What's Jonestown? (n/t) | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:39:59 |
|
Linky | by DesertRat66 | 2006-11-19 12:55:59 |
|
Interesting | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:58:26 |
|
I remember when it happened | by DesertRat66 | 2005-05-04 12:07:13 |
|
1978? I wasn't even conceived yet | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 12:10:40 |
|
I'll never deny that unions have done good things | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:39:44 |
|
Within reason, yes... | by carthax | 2005-05-04 11:46:24 |
|
There is a difference... | by esbita | 2005-05-04 11:32:54 |
|
Sorry for the tone, MikeCDN. | by shminux | 2005-05-04 11:36:25 |
|
thanks | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:41:19 |
|
the only one imagining seems to be you | by Freakazoid | 2005-05-04 12:18:11 |
|
Gee, that last bit was productive. (n/t) | by Ravenlock | 2005-05-04 14:17:11 |
|
So what's a solution? | by DesertRat66 | 2005-05-04 11:14:19 |
|
The solutions exist, and vary from place to place | by shminux | 2005-05-04 11:25:02 |
|
In other words | by DesertRat66 | 2005-05-04 11:28:59 |
|
Psst... You missed one very important word | by DesertRat66 | 2005-05-04 10:59:48 |
|
Same thing has happened in my town | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 10:53:41 |
|
The union is an attempt to level the playing | by shminux | 2005-05-04 10:55:43 |
|
Yeah safeway is unionized | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 10:59:16 |
|
I agree with your last point. Sometimes | by shminux | 2005-05-04 11:04:40 |
|
what? | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 10:48:16 |
|
Thesedays it takes a lot of P***ing off your | by toxin | 2005-05-04 10:36:09 |
|
Of course Walmart just closes union shops :) | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 11:00:30 |
|
It comes down to the greater evil. | by Avium | 2005-05-04 12:17:41 |
|
mmm | by MikeCDN | 2005-05-04 12:29:13 |
|
Walmart already doesn't get my money. | by mortaine | 2005-05-04 12:54:36 |
|
Yeah... | by esbita | 2005-05-04 12:25:33 |
|
Keep in mind that people form unions because ... | by RigbyReardon | 2006-11-19 12:55:59 |
