Wal-Mart Means Low Wages
From Wal-Mart's own website, they calculate the average wage of a Wal-Mart 'Associate' to be $11.75/hour. In comparison, the starting wage at neighboring, union, Safeway begins at $12/hour + benefits. This says nothing of the starting wages of factory workers overseas earning less than $2 a day making products for Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart Means FEWER local jobs
Throughout
the world, when Wal-Mart opens up shop, data shows that employment actually decreases by 2.7% in the surrounding area. This is because smaller businesses, current and future, cannot compete with Wal-Mart's sweatshop prices and wages, and therefore, over time, get put out of business. Wal-Mart means MORE Traffic
With anywhere from 2 to 9 tractor trailers delivering daily and thousands of shoppers visiting the store, you can expect more heavy backups on Georgia Avenue, Missouri Avenue, and 9th Street NW. Engine braking and noise pollution will increase in the immediate area. Wal-Mart is Completely Anti-Union and Disrespects Workers' Rights
When a Wal-Mart store in Canada received union certification, Wal-Mart closed up shop. In Texas, when a meat-cutting department organized a union, Wal-Mart phased out the meatcutting department entirely in all US Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart means no unions, no respect for workers, and lower wages. Wal-Mart Doesn't Care About Women's Rights
In Dukes Vs. Wal-Mart, over 1.6 million female Wal-Mart workers are suing Wal-Mart for receiving lower pay than their male counterparts and being bypassed for promotions. In Wal-Mart stores, female managers earn on average $14,500 less than male managers. Female hourly workers earn on average $1,100 less than male hourly workers. Wal-Mart Supports Right Wing Candidates Who Don't Support DC Statehood
Wal-Mart, through its own political action committees (PACs), its board, and its executives, has a long history of funding right wing Congressional candidates. Many of these candidates have voted against voting rights for DC. Examples of recipients of Wal-Mart money include George Bush, Trent Lott, Lamar Alexander, the Republican National Committee, and the New Republican Majority Fund.
