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November 08, 2002

WalMart- Corporate Criminal

As this story on Wal-Mart details, when we talk about coporate criminals, we should not just talk about those that defraud investors. Those companies illegally ripping off workers by denying them the right to organize and demand higher wages should be vilified as well.

And understand, if you want to help the economy, the best way is to put money in the hands of working families. Tax cuts that add up to a few hundred dollars per year for most families are small beer. But raise their salaries by 10% or 20% and you are talking about thousands of dollars per families and hundreds of billions strengthening main street America.

Unless you think the corporate leaders controlling all that money would spend it better than those working families.

Wal-Mart is the poster child for corporate crime against workers. As the article notes:

the National Labor Relations Board has filed more than 40 complaints against Wal-Mart, accusing managers in more than two dozen stores of illegal practices, including improperly firing union supporters, intimidating workers and threatening to deny bonuses if workers unionized. Of those, the board found illegal practices in 10 cases; 8 cases were settled and the rest are pending.

When workers have organized successfully, as with a butchers department in Texas, the whole department was disbanded two weeks later.

The reason Wal-Mart can engage in such corporate crime with little repercussions is that the only penalty under the law is compensating workers illegally fired with the money they lost-- minus whatever money they've earned from jobs they took since they were fired. Basically, it's as if a thief's only punishment was giving back the stolen goods. Not much deterrence since the criminals get to keep the benefits of all the times they don't get caught.

For the economy, raising wages is one the only ways to assure long-term strength. Higher wages means more consumer spending which means better lives not just for those whose wages have been raised.

If that's not enough to convince more liberals to take support for unions more seriously, how is this for the politicos out there wondering how to strengthen progressive politics in the longterm. Building unions, especially in traditionally non-union southern states, creates a political counterweight to corporate power. It creates organizations that can mobilize at election time on behalf of working families issues. The reality is that Democratic Party numbers have eroded since the 1970s practically hand-in-hand with the decline of union numbers. When 25-30% of the workforce was unionized, with even higher numbers having at least one union member in the family, that gave progressive politics a real base each year. Now as unionization has dropped to just a bit over 10% of the private workforce, it becomes harder to find a base of organized working class support for progressive politics. Unions are actually far savvier on tactically using their numbers than they have been in decades, but with greater numbers, all progressive causes would benefit.

So all you progressives, if you want a better election result in 2004 and 2006 and 2008, spend some time walking picket lines, not just following ballot lines.

Posted by Nathan at November 8, 2002 08:12 AM

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Comments

I agree with everything you said, except for the "more consumer spending" spart. There's evidence that lower wages means lower consumption; on the contrary, low wages simply shift purchasing power from workers to shareholders. Theoretically, you could argue that shareholders have less of a propensity to consume than workers, but all the evidence (i.e. low savings rates) seem to refute this argument.

Posted by: Peter Handler at November 8, 2002 01:11 PM

Any discussion of Wal Mart must contain a mention of the role its founder and CEO has played in promoting vouchers for schooling.

Posted by: Leo Casey at November 8, 2002 03:33 PM

i am currently an employee at wal-mart, and i must say that walmart does treat there employees badly. They make them work 12--14 hours in one day and take that time off so they don't have to pay you over-time. They lie to there employees and make them think that they work for a good company. Which is also a lie.

Posted by: toni at January 1, 2003 03:33 PM

Posted by: toni at January 1, 2003 03:34 PM

After today's trip to Wal-mart I have decided NEVER to shop there again. I waited in line with two young children for 30 minutes on a Thursday at 1pm just to buy 10 items. I complained to the Wal-Mart staff and I am going to write a letter to corporate headquarters. I understand that they are trying to keep the prices low, but they have got to bend a little somewhere to make it less of a nightmare to shop there. The manager told me that the lack of adequate sales associates is due to "the economy.... and payroll..." I would almost accept that explanation except for the fact that the lines have been long for at as long as I can remember shopping at Wal-Mart. Plus, I believe increasing salaries helps boosts the economy because people then buy more goods and services. The Wal-Mart manager also told me that the long lines are due to the high volume they generate. I politely told the manager that I would shop elsewhere and help them solve that problem.

Posted by: Laura at February 27, 2003 04:51 PM

Posted by: Laura at February 27, 2003 04:52 PM

Can anybody help? I am trying to find out about Walmart and donations it makes to political parties. Here,in England, my local superstore is owned by Walmart. I want to try and make links between Walmart as a US company and the possible war against Iraq. Any way I suppose that some profit from here goes to the US taxman and thus helps the military indirectly? I'm not clever at these things so any help would be good.

Thanks

Posted by: chris at March 2, 2003 05:57 PM

I recently was at one of your department stores and purchased 5 of the same item. I took it to the service desk and they scanned the box. Now the price that came up was a different price that was on the shelf in the photo section. Now I've been buying thesse photo tabs for my busines for about a year now and have always paid $1.67. Now they cost $2.94. But there is no shelf tag in photo for the 500's there's only a tag for the two hundred. The sku on the box is 078484033777. The sku on the reciept was 007848402602. I had bought them a store number 1681, operator 00002387 te#94 TR#0023. The manager of that store is Tony Boyd. Thanks for your time. Bye.

Posted by: Sandra Thompson-dahl at May 10, 2003 10:55 PM

Posted by: Sandra Thompson-dahl at May 10, 2003 10:56 PM

I am currently an employee of Wal-mart and I have to say that it is is not the family oriented company that it claims to be. They have you doing work that is beyond your job description but do not hand out merit raises for the work you do. They ask why you think you deserve one, then it's never spoke of again. If you go to management to discuss a problem, soon everybody in the store knows about it. I thought what you talked about was supposed to be confidential. They say we should feel priveleged to work there. With all the money this company makes a year, it would seem that they would increase the salaries a little. We do not get paid enough for the work that we do or our loyalty to the company. The open door policy is a joke, They tell us that our opinions matter yet they never want to listen to us. Also there is alot of favoritism at Wal-mart,It is hard to get ahead in this company unless you know somebody. Merit raises and promotions are given to those people who interact with management. People who do the actual "hard" work get nothing for their efforts. This is just the true facts of Wal-mart.

Posted by: Linda at June 28, 2003 12:22 PM

Last monday night my daughter who worked at Walmart, was viciously beaten and left bleeding on the in an empty vacant parking lot. She had invited a co-worker to go out to state campground, she was camped at, and then ask him if he wanted to invite some friends. One turned out to be a former girlfriend. The three girls dragged her out of the car and proceeded to kick and beat her ion her face and body. The co-worker left with these girls leaving my daughter bleeding on the ground. This co-worker told police he didn't know the girls or where they might live.

The police went to walmart, took pictures of extensive bruises and abrations and questioned the male co-worker. Officers then stated that they did not know who the girls were and for my daughter to call them if she found out who they were.

Three days later the same male co-worker informed Sara that one of the girls was checking out of the store. My daughter went to the front and ask the cashier to call police. She stated that her phone didn't call out so Sara ran to photo and they called police. Meanwhile the girl was walking out with her mother. My daughter followed her out and stood in front of car so they could not leave, until police arrived. The mother told her to move or 'she would move her'. The manager came out and told my daughter that she could not interfere with a customer leaving and sent her inside where she was fired. The co-worker who offered no help at the assault and in fact left with the three girls, who withheld information on their idenity and then offered no aid at the store, still has his job. Does anyone know who she can appeal to. Thank you, Diane

Posted by: Diane at July 1, 2003 05:25 PM

i am just tring to figure out who would be responsible for my injury i was hired as a day labor temp working at the new super walmart in ocoee fla where i fell in the oil changing pit the contractors (general) were case contracting out of plant city if you could please chack into this and get back with me on who would be responsible for me falling in the pit i would really appreciate it i am under the impression that walmart is responsible for me if you believe that walmart is not please provide info you can contact me at my email or my cell 321 443 2301 thanks hope to hear from you soon

Posted by: Rebecca Parson at August 15, 2003 01:02 PM

I am trying to find the e-mail for the corporate office or address I want to file a complaint against the walmart in avondale arizona 2554, I was an associate there for over two years until they decided they wanted to get rid of the workers that made to much money it didn't matter what kind of worker you were or how long you have been with the company. I have been in the working field for over 20 years and never had once been coached or written up, that is until Friday the 15th of August, when summer started I had told my department manager, my assistant manager and everyone else that I had transportation problems and would have to get a ride with my brother-n-law and I would have to come in the same hours he did which was no problem I told them I was trying to fix this problem but being the only one working in my family at the time money was scarce this seem to be no problem to them until this past Friday Aug 15th, 2003 when I was called in the assistant managers office where than I was told I was being wrote up for coming in late and leaving early which was a bunch of bull, my brother-n-law also got wrote up a few days before I did, and he was told he had one tardy but got wrote up for other things, and it seems kind of funny that when this assistant manager was on nights she didn't have any problem with me coming in early so they could pull me to other departments to safe their butts before the store manager came in, it all boils down to one thing money so they can get their precious undeserved bonus at the end of the year. Walmart is no more a family store than the sky is pink with purple polka dots. Well if anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it.

Posted by: Metta at August 20, 2003 08:48 PM

I'm looking for anyone who has infro and facts about walmarts tire and lube express.
after going with my car for oil changes for 9 months and paying for service I never got, meaning they told me they were checking everything, they never did, leaving my transmission to be almost empty or they empty it.
now my car is left with transmission and rearend differential damage.
I went to walmart to make the complaint and they turned it over to this co.CMI
well this is turning out to be a nightmere.
They won't pay.
I have ben seaching on the net about complaints which I found one site and now seeing that there are a lot of people like myself thay had their cars damaged by walmart and won't pay.
I plan on going public on the news this coming week, paper and tv.
this walmart is in a small town in upstate new york, Cobleskill, I hoping that I can make a difference about walmart, as now it's just not their tier and tube, it's the whole store in any walmart.
like they have brainwashed the public, oh this is a family store and we stand behind are products and work.
I feel sorry for the unpaid workers there.
So if anyone can help me with any leeds.
email me or call 718-626-4555
as I'm really upset as this isn't just a product that cost me $100 and I can't get it back.
it's mt car value $10,000.
my car is my savings and my life.
Thanks

Posted by: Jennie at August 24, 2003 10:23 AM

I am a senior in highschool and have worked at Wal~Mart for over a year. In the beginning it seemed like an alright place but soon turned into a nightmare. Our store told us that minors were not allowed to work shifts over 5 hours long and this was a law. Crazy enough, children at other places and those at my store who were related to people higher up were allowed to work more hours. One day they changed it to 6 hour shifts, meaning we work at the register for 3 hours, get a 15 min. break, and then go back to the register for 3 hours.
We are constantly understaffed, making the workload 10 times harder and then causing us to make mistakes. After making a mistake we're taking into an office where a manager tells us that we are to be "terminated" is another mistake happens.
Is this really the kind of place a 17-year-old girl should be working after school? The job did not advertise for exhausting days and harrassment, it's just one of the unsaid perks.

Posted by: sosha at September 29, 2003 07:47 PM

I am trying to find out where I can write, call or email a complaint. I live in Mississippi and have 3 super centers within 15 minutes of my house. Only one of them carries matzo and other related items(I am jewish). I asked the manager of the store closest to home and was told there are not enough of my kind of people that would use the product to put it in the store. I am extremely angry.
Thank you

Posted by: Sue at October 10, 2003 03:24 PM

we as walmart customers dont care for the fact that walmart messes up and we pay we have a walmart card and all they can do is mess ou the billing dates or say we did not pay then they call us all day and charge the intrest too ............... i to want the adress thank u

Posted by: charles graham at November 10, 2003 07:47 PM

I hate Walmart,their demeaning to all their associates,you know,all us dirty,inbred,people,who put out the stock everyday,run over to the grocery dpt/helping out also.Getting rid of all overtime,cutting down our hours around xmas,so the store manager can get his Fat-Ass bonus,making us look and feel like we have no future with your dog ass company.Who the hell do you think you are? Wake up and stop thinking you are hiring peons and idiots for your dirty work.When oh when are you idiots controlling WalMarts all over the country going to realize that your asses could at any time be on the way out also.Nobody,but nobody is safely employed at WalMart stores.

Posted by: I Hate Wal-Mart!!!!!!!! at November 19, 2003 12:15 AM

I was injured by the store manager at store number 2920, Orange Park Florida. It was an absolute madhouse on Friday morning but after he hit me with two dvd players he refused to take responsibility. All I wanted was an apology and all he offered were absolute lies and screaming. I intend to pursue this as far as I possibly can. I do not want money for this. I want to know HOW this man, with his horrible attitude toward his CUSTOMERS, could have ever made it to be a store manager. If there is anyone else out there who has or has ever had a similar complaint, please contact me.

Posted by: Stacie at November 30, 2003 06:01 PM

Posted by: Stacie at November 30, 2003 06:03 PM

I need to know the address of where to serve walmart with a small claims lawsuit. I was injured due to their negligence last year. I cannot find an attorney to take on the Goliath in a civil case so I am pursuing them through small claims court to pay some of my medical bills. Any help would be appreciated.

Posted by: lisa at December 12, 2003 08:17 PM

I was an employee at Walmart for 5 years. I was a Customer Service Manager. I went out on maternity leave. After returning to work, I stepped down to a Courtesy Desk Associate trying to adjust to the idea of having a new baby. After I got the hang of things and saw that several positions were posted for CSM, I applied. I was interviewed, and tested. After completing this process I was told by an assistant manager that i was not qualified for the position, after holding the positon for 5 years. I became very upset because an associate that had been there for 4 months was chosen over me. I contacted the District Manger and Store Manger only to be told that I was not chosen for the positon because the assistant manager had never worked with me. I quit and walked out in total frustration.

Posted by: Diane at December 26, 2003 09:20 PM

Posted by: Diane at December 26, 2003 09:21 PM

Posted by: Diane at December 26, 2003 09:22 PM

Posted by: Diane at December 26, 2003 09:23 PM

i worked at walmart for three years at the last year i lost alot of weight. and my asst manager took it upon himself to start sexual harresing me. following me driving by my house. parking by me. threatening me if i didnt do a certain favor. he said he would make my job and home life hell.so i went to the district manager and you know what he said thats not sexual harresment. im too poor to get an lawyer. and would you believe it am not the only one. and he still works there.

Posted by: desiree at December 27, 2003 05:10 AM

I'm seeking info on past walmart employee's or shoppers who have been treated badly by this company. Please include which state you were employed at and tell me your experiences and I'll share mine. Please e mail me at dr@rutkowsk.com. Thank you.

Posted by: Diane Rutkowski at December 30, 2003 12:48 PM

Posted by: Diane Rutkowski at December 30, 2003 12:49 PM

I WOULD LIKE TO PUT A COMPLAINT ON STORE 220 THIS STORE IS SO RUDE AND REALLY NEED SOME HELP. I WENT INTO THE STORE AND IT WAS CRAZY AND THE WORKERS ARE VERY RUDE.I AM HISPANIC AND THIS PEOPLE DONT EVEN ACT LIKE THEY LIKE THERE JOBS I WAITED FOR 45MINS FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME. I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE THANK YOU BECKY

Posted by: BECKY SAN MIGUEL at January 10, 2004 10:33 PM

Posted by: BECKY SAN MIGUEL at January 10, 2004 10:34 PM

I purchased items online at WALMART.com on 1/18/2004 and within 30 minutes, canceled the order. I emailed immediately to advise of the cancelation, as well as followed the cancelation proceedure to be sure the order was canceled. Today 1/19/2004 I receive an email that it was shipped -- shipped within 30 minutes on a SUNDAY NITE from an online order? I think not. Now I'm responsible for returning these items - and I'm handicapped, so this will be a huge mess for me to deal with. This is fraud. They knew I canceled, this should not have been shipped & charged to my credit card.

Posted by: Kathy at January 19, 2004 10:24 PM

I agree with the fact Walmart is not fair to their employees. My mother is 74 years old and still working. She is a faithful and dependable employee and work circles around her co-workers. She is constantly be picked at because of her age and is often refused time off. Currently she is requesting 4 days off at Easter(she has the vacation days)to see her sister that is not expected to live over 6 months. We are having a family reunion and she has been told she can not go. It makes me sick to see the T.V. spots that talk about how wonderful Walmart is to their employees. Furious in Florida!

Posted by: Barbara Butikis at January 22, 2004 09:34 AM

I used to work Walmart. But before I worked there I was a Walmart fanatic. I was there all the time. I worked for the xmas season and only wanted part-time and applied from 6-close, which at that time was 11pm. After thanksgiving they automatically put me to work until 12pm and 12:30pm, with out asking me. They knew I had a day job which I started at 8am and my own business in the afternoons. Supposely if you are scheduled to work till 11:00 it's till then. The CSM are to get you off the registers 15minutes early so you can clock out by 11:00, not store # 1949. And what about this zoning, after 11:00, which don't make sense, that is why the have overnight crew... My other complaint is that on a day i was not working i went to shop with my family. I bought a "5.00" cassette radio walkman. It said 5.00 and there was alot of them. So i paid for it and went home, two days later when i was going through my receipts for the week, I noticed that the price for the walkman was 9.99 not 5.00, so I took it the receipt and took it to service desk for a refund, they said I can't have it because the walkmans were in the wrong place. I told them that was the workers fault not mine and I still didn't get my money because I was an employee. Another time i got charge twice for men's deorderant when I only bought one. Now instead of waiting till the end of the week to check my receipts I take a extra minute to check it. I bought a pack of cookies last night that was comp shop for 1.88, and walmart's price was 2.50, they had a sign that said 1.88. When it rang out OF COURSE it rang up 2.50 and the clerk called a CSM and she refused to give me the money back and walked away to the podium. I walked to the place of the cookies and ripped the sign off and put it right in her face. And demanded my money back NOW. This CSM doesn't like me b-cuz when I worked there I found 20.00 on the floor folded up and turned it in to her. "thanks for being honest" was all i got. Couple hours later I heard her joking with another CSM as to how she found 20.00 I walked up to her and her other CSM's and told her Isn't it funny how one associate can be honest and the other a thief.

Posted by: Lucy at January 22, 2004 06:39 PM

I have a complaint/suggestion for this particular store in Lucedale, MS. Since the store has opened I have left very angry each time I visit and make a suggestion to the cashier to better customer service. My trouble is always a customer service issue. When I visit Walmart I buy for my grandmother, as well as, myself and always have a loaded shopping cart when reaching the checkout line. Rather than the cashier bagging my groceries and putting them in my cart or a spare cart that she should keep at her register, she piles them up on the bag rack and they fall off and she does not once put forth any effort in putting my bags in my cart. So while I am putting items on the belt my groceries are steadily falling off the bag rack b/c the cashier is just plain lazy or doesnt care. I havent decided which.
Also, if there is someone in line behind me and I have paid and still have groceries on the bag rack the cashier will proceed to check out the person behind me and bag their groceries without assisting me in clearing out my groceries on the bag rack which results in bags being mixed up.
My last visit to this Walmart their was a woman in front of me with a loaded cart holding a 12 month old baby while trying to
put bags in her cart and the cashier never
assisted her with this but, instead proceeded to check me out. The woman left very frustrated.
I normally shop at the Walmart in Mobile, AL because this type of service is ridiculous. The Mobile Walmart cashiers keep a shopping cart at their register so, that when the customer reaches the check out line the cashier can put bags in their cart(which she does) while checking the individual out. Then the cart that is left by the customer is used for the next customer and so on. This works VERY well and cuts down on customer frustration. I have suggested this to the Lucedale Walmart several times only for it to never happen. So, Now when I have to go to the Lucedale Walmart which I try to completely avoid, I always take someone with me so, that I dont risk having my groceries fall off the bag rack and break or mixing my items up with another customers items. I live in Lucedale so, making a trip to the Mobile AL Walmart is an inconvenience sometimes but, I would rather take great customer service anyday. I have discovered that my sister in law also will shop at the Mobile Walmart for this same reason and she also lives in Lucedale. I hope that someone here will train there employees better and teach them better customer service skills. Until then I will continue to shop at Walmart in Mobile AL....Thanks

Posted by: K>F> at January 28, 2004 12:15 PM

I just wonder if there are any other people out there who are as frustrated and ticked off as I am right now. I took my car into Walmart's Tire Lube Express for an oil change and after that my car started running hot. Well come to find out the guy who did the oil change cracked my radiator, and not only is my radiator messed up now I need a whole new motor b/c when it ran hot it blew the head gasket. Walmarts insurance co. CMI has been such a pain to deal with they took 4 weeks to get me a rental car and then when they got my car in the shop and found out that the motor was blown due to the radiator overheating they are now refusing to pay. I don't know what to do b/c I am a single mom right now and I am also out of work (I had lost my job right before this happened to my car) and I don't have the money to pay to have my car fixed the estimate is like 4500$. This is like pocket change to them so I don't understand why they have to be a pain in the ass about it they KNOW its their fault. The insurance man from CMI even admitted that Walmart had destroyed evidence. But if I take them to court all they will keep it tied up in court FOREVER and I need my car NOW to support my child....WHAT DO I DO??? Anyone w/ any thoughts or suggestions email me @ Cheluvdav@aol.com or call 864-243-0169

Posted by: Michele Bakley at February 6, 2004 08:10 PM

Posted by: Michele Bakley at February 6, 2004 08:11 PM

i was call a white fucking bitch by another employee i used the open door filed a complant
and nothing was done the girl still worked there and laught in my face every day why bwas nothing done.the store number is store 5034 in ft myers florida

Posted by: rhonda wyrick at February 8, 2004 04:36 PM

I had a brother that passed away before Christmas. My son works for the Super Wal-Mart in Port Orange, FL. He went with us when we went to Alabama for my brothers funeral. My son thought he was going to get grievece pay. He was told that his Uncle wasn't considered a part of his imadiate family. Yet, Wal-Mart gave someone else grievence pay for a death of a Brother-in-law! My husband had a mini stroke and was transported from the VA Clinic to the hospital. I called my son. My son's wife works for Wal-Mart and in the same department that he does. Well, they were told that it was inconvenient for them both to leave. What would have been the difference if he worked in one department and she worked in another? Both were told they couldn't take those two days off as sick days. Wal-Mart has lost their family attitude. I am one unhappy person right now.

Posted by: Janet at March 4, 2004 05:54 AM

Posted by: Janet at March 4, 2004 05:55 AM

How in the world dose one get a hold of someone live and not a recored,and thats all i get,my walmart card has been stolen!,i have so many numbers i have called and cant get to know one,and there for i also have know acct#to give,please help me!! thanks Barbara Russell

Posted by: Barbara at March 11, 2004 04:40 PM

You have a good choice of workers. I know becuase I'm practically In love with one of them.

Posted by: Melissa at April 19, 2004 02:16 PM

I am amazed to here all of these complaints we don't have these many problems in our store. The people are friendly and line ups really aren't always that bad no more than three to a line 80% of the time. The employee's that complain are the same people who are constantly late, don't show up for work or call in at least once a week especially on weekends saying they are sick. They also are the same ones that refuse to work when they are there and a small % of them do end up fired. Go Figure!

Posted by: Kari at April 19, 2004 08:20 PM

Yes, I agree strongly with everything that you have said. I worked for walmart for 2 years and they treated me like s*** when they fired me under false pretenses. I stood by and did nothing about it. Just the other day when I tried to see if I could be rehired their job line wouldn't allow me to do so. What can I do to become apart of this lawsuits that are going against walmart?

Posted by: Coralene at May 17, 2004 01:48 PM

Hey
Just got my oil changed (or supposedly so) at WalMart in Indianapolis. I ran out of oil in the street. I stopped and immediately put oil in because I carry it in my trunk. When i went to the store the engine was visually torn up. They said there is no way running out of oil could do that and the "manager" of the automotive dept said he was 99% sure this was not their fault. Took it to the dealership to have it looked at. (After getting a note saying driving it to the dealership would not negate their responsibility). It did run out of oil and the engine must be replaced. I go to the store everyday and wait for something to be done, but its not happening. Anyone with a corporate number or advice please give me a call. 317-496-3051
Thanks
Amy

Posted by: amy hartman at May 21, 2004 04:20 PM

My sister was in Walmart (In Amarillo, TX) today to pick up a few items on her way home to Houston.
While putting her items in her car, her purse was stolen from her basket. There were no security guards in sight, and when she did find one his response was "What do you expect me to do, lady?"
The manager of the Walmart did not offer to call the police; after some coercion he did finally refund her money for the items she had purchased. She had to call me collect. They did not offer her a phone; they did not take her name until we insisted that they do so on the off chance that the purse is found. I told her I had quit shopping at Walmart just because the savings are not worth the hassle. I shop for a few items twice a year; that's my limit. Now I will not shop for even those few items. I have decided that they obviously do not encourage their associates to think for themselves. I have had it with them. She is certainly not going to shop there any more.

Posted by: pam clifton at June 14, 2004 06:49 PM

I was recently in a slip and fall at Wal-Mart store #5031 in Tucson AZ. I hurt my knee and threw out my back. They told me to go to the doctor and that they would take care of the medical expence. They will not pay for the medical bill. I am the one that is being sent the hospital bill. I keep taking the bill to the store and trying to get the matter resolved over the phone but nothing happens. I have tried to get a lawyer but everyone here is afraid to take Wal-Mart on. I f anyone happens to know of an attorney that has the balls to help me with my case I would appreciate the help.

Posted by: Sarah at June 14, 2004 11:57 PM

Posted by: Sarah at June 14, 2004 11:58 PM

My car was dropped off for an oil change at the Durham New Hope Commons Wal-Mart Tire & Lube service. The car was damaged during the oil change, the next day it was inspected and thereafter repaired by a certified GM service station in Durham. GM says that the oil pan was cracked at the oil plug, because of inappropriate use of extra force when replacing the oil plug, which resulted in cracking the oil pan at the drain plug.

Wal Mart's Claim Mangement Inc. refused my claim based on the fact, that the frequency of my visit for oil change to Wal-Mart Tire & Lube service was sporadic. The representative also said that the oil leak was a pre-existing condition that they had put on the receipt and I signed it. The real situation is, that I signed an electronic device right after I dropped my car (probably a work authorization something), before servicemen received the keys for the car, and when the damage occurred, they put a statement on the receipt that this oil leak existed already, and transferred my signature on it from the device. This is a very suspicious, moreover illegal way to make service receipts. Therefore it should not be considered any kind of evidence!

The fact that the servicemen nervously rushed to the customer service area and called a manager suggests that the damage happened while they tried to change the oil. They were 100% responsible for what they were doing on the car. So they took advantage of me by putting a statement on the receipt that I was aware of the problem. There was NO problem before I went there for an oil change!

I am considering a class action lawsuit, since I see a lot of people having the same situation. Do anyone have any idea of people who can help us doing this? Or this particular situation? E-mail me, please!

Posted by: Ben at June 23, 2004 10:08 AM

I worked for WalMart for two years and was terminated for the first thing I did wrong I was never given a verbal coaching, written coaching and the termiantion policy was by no means followed according to the way the company writes it in their big thick policy book, that by the way changes from day to day depending on who you are. And guess why I was fired you ready for this? Saying a swear word, That is what one member of management told me upon termination, and then I was told by a higher member of management another reason. Imagine that they really are not sure why they fired me the reason is because they did not fire me for the reason they gave me I believe it is because of my past. Which by the way they hired me knowing about my past because it is on my application. Please tell me how you can justify firing an employee the first time they do something wrong when I only called off once and was never in the office for anything. I was encouraged at the time of my termination to use the open door policy which I did I spoke to a woman who listened to my story told me that someone would get back to me in two business days and at the end of the second business day no one had called me so I called back spoke to someone different who at this time informed me that if you are terminated for using swear words they do not have to call you back. The open door policy is truley a big joke they decide when they talk to you which policy they are going to make up for the day. Family orinated what a joke and if they truley cared about their customers they would staff their stores to accomidate the customers they have to service, doesn't happen and they make excuses on a daily basis on why they do not have enough employees. And if WalMart cared about their employees as much as the care about the all mighty dollar their would be alot more smiling faces from the employees and for once the commericals would be true. Its pretty sad it took a law suit for them to figure out they were not paying competive wages to their people if they truley cared about the employees they would have paid them the wages they deserve, not because they had to due to being sued. WalMart gives people jobs who needs them to take care of their familys and then pays them crap and knows they will stay because they have to inorder to pay their bills and take care of their familys. Jobs are hard to find so you go in everyday and continue to eat the shit they hand out because you need your job. And then they talk about being the most admired company oh boy what a line of bull. Well I,m gonna go cause I said a swear word so once again im fired.

Posted by: Jack at June 27, 2004 10:46 AM

Posted by: Jack at June 27, 2004 10:47 AM

Posted by: Jack at June 27, 2004 10:48 AM

Posted by: Jack at June 27, 2004 10:49 AM

The manager of the Rocky Mount, NC WalMart is one of the most dis-respectful men I have ever had the misfortune of speaking with. When I tried to make a complaint he interupted me several times.
I was shopping at his store around 10pm when my daughter was almost crushed by a pallet of merchandise! The employee operating the hand truck had the smell of alcohol on his breath!!!
I spend around $800.00 monthly in this store, between prescriptions, groceries and household items. Because of this managers uncaring attitude and condecending tone, I will never set foot in a Wal Mart again!!!!!!!!!!!! The manager (Stephan) needs to go back to customer service training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: katie at July 5, 2004 07:53 PM

Posted by: katie at July 5, 2004 07:54 PM

Posted by: katie at July 5, 2004 07:56 PM

Posted by: katie at July 5, 2004 07:58 PM

Posted by: katie at July 5, 2004 07:59 PM

Very impressive...you've got 70 rants, most of them repeated about 3 or 4 times....so, if I'm generous, you're looking at maybe 30 - 40 complaints. Hmmm, not hearing much from the other 1.3 million Walmart employees. The ones at my local Walmart seem to be the happiest employees I've ever encountered. Of course, you Liberal thugs know what's best for everyone, so it's quite clear that these folks are just too stupid to know any better. I'll go back and tell them they have no reason to be happy. Thank God you're there to save them.

The recent attacks on Walmart exactly what I expect from the lunatic Liberal fringe these days. For that faction that loathes corporate America, I've got news for you...corporate America is what this country is about...if you don't like it, my recommendation is to try Cuba or some other third world dictatorship. I'm sure you'll fit in and just love it there. Good luck.

Posted by: Steve H at July 7, 2004 03:57 PM

The recent attacks on Walmart are exactly what I expect from the lunatic Liberal fringe these days. For that faction that loathes corporate America, I've got news for you...corporate America is what this country is about...if you don't like it, my recommendation is to try Cuba or some other third world dictatorship. I'm sure you'll fit in and just love it there. Best of luck.

Posted by: Steve H at July 7, 2004 03:58 PM

Where do i fine contact for unfair practices of termination of an employee of Walmart Stores Of Florida? Please email me.

Posted by: janette duhart at July 29, 2004 10:59 AM

I am a handycap with a bad lung so I can't walk very far with out getting short winded. Just about 85% of the time I go in the store in Cleburne, Texas there is about five oer six scooteers with " OUT OF ORDER " on them. When you say anythiong about you get " Well the guy that works on them was here a couple of weeks ago and fixed them ". They must be in realy bad shape for them to be broke down already. I am not the only handycap and needs the scooter. the scooters they have look old and could stand being replaced. Is the handycaps business important? If not say so and I'll take my business else where.....

Posted by: Doyle Cannon at August 18, 2004 08:27 PM

What about Office Depot, Home Depot, Target or Kmart.... Kmart is one of the worst companies out there. Most of these people are cry babies and all they do is bash WAL-MART. They didn't drag you off the street and force you to work there. As far as the individual who was coached for changing her own schedule to accomodate her ride... ever hear of a bus or a taxi... please.
Does Home Depot or Target get tax breaks when they open a store somewhere? I bet they do too so check on them too Let's be fair to everyone. Does Target and Kmart buy clothes made in poor countries yes they do...where are you checking on their practices? Uh huh. Where are the unions trying to organize everyone else? Are they truly concerned about workers are just see a large source of dues that corrupt union officials can have instead of taking care of employees. All the retailers have the same issues yet wal-mart seems to be the only one that has them, that is BS.

Posted by: Upeeplesuk at February 18, 2005 12:42 PM

This may put a damper on things, but Wal~Mart the 'company' is not really all that bad. I've been with Wal~Mart for three years now; having worked at one store(WI), transfered to another store(SC), and then transfered back(WI). Having worked at two completely different supercenters has given me the oppertunity to see that Wal~Mart really isn't all that bad, not all that good, but not all that bad either. But the individual stores can be quite horrible.
I read a comment about Wal~Mart being horrible because they won't allow unions...on Wal~Mart's behalf...the company never pertends that they aren't against it..the day I was hired, they made it very clear that they had a zero tolarence for unions in their company.
I also read a comment on the grualling hours that Wal~Mart asks of it's associates; such as 6hours with only one 15minute break. In that case I agree. When I first started working for Wal~Mart, I was a senior in High School and I too was scheduled for 6hours with only one 15minute break. What made it worse was that I went to work directly after school, so it wasn't until 10pm that I was getting dinner. But again, Wal~Mart has corrected that mistake. Now if an associate is scheduled 6hours, they get a half hour lunch plus one 15minute break. I can't speak for any of the other stores, but the one that I work at has always worked with me on my availablity. And as far as I know, has always worked with anyone going to school, allowing them to shorten their availability. In three cases that I know of, has allowed three students to work one weekend a month plus the Christmas holiday season.
Another comment was about how a certain Wal~Mart store wouldn't sell ethinic items for one customer because there wasn't a high enough demand. Although I'm sorry that the customer has to go an extra few miles to get something specific, I would like to remind everyone that Wal~Mart is there to make money. People like to throw out the fact that Wal~Mart claims to be family orientated...but the cold hard fact is that Wal~Mart is out to make money...just like every other business. They are not a charity, but a business.
I do my fare share of complaining about Wal~Mart and the store that I work at...but let's face it: We really don't have to shop or work there. It's completely up to us. There is no law that makes us support Wal~Mart. I agree that certain stores are horrible and that some of the people working there I wouldn't want to claim as friends. But all in all, Wal~Mart really isn't that bad.

Posted by: Shannon at March 22, 2005 05:13 AM

I worked for the inverness walmart in florida, I was fired on a trumped up charge. the real reason for letting me go was i used the so called open door policy. I told management a co worker threatened me. I also had three witnesses who wrote statements to that effect. they fired me and kept the ass kisser of managment. i have never seen so many ass kissers in one spot.this store must sell the most lip balm, just for the ass kissers, and lie, if it gets them a brownie point they will lie about anyone or anything.

Posted by: x walmart employee at June 19, 2005 01:15 AM

I am consumer and purchased a defective breast pump at the Gardendale, Al location and when I went to take it back to get another one they told me I could not do that. I was stuck with a product that wal-mart sold me and it was no good. Pursuiting legal action

Posted by: Crystal at June 22, 2005 02:40 PM

Please read via search engine about teh Wal-Mart Vice President that was fired because he was paying off union boss's to stop organizing Wal-Mart.
It seems that the union boss's were turning in names of their members that were secretly employed at Wal-Mart. In return the wal-Mart V.P. would pay off the union boss for the secret imformation on the union organizers.
The union have promised to look into thei but Wal-Mart took the first step in this scandle and fired the VP. The union shave not said much as this is a black eye on them. Taking payoff $$ from the evil Wal-Mart for selling out organizers. The union thugs would not deny that they were paid off to rat out the workers they will only look into the allegations.

Posted by: puff driver at June 27, 2005 07:15 PM

I worked for Wal-mart for two years, recently quitting a month ago because I could not take it any more. I worked in the infants department and busted my ass to have the place spotless in the little time they allowed. I would usually only work from 5-11 pm during the week which isn't a lot of time considering I needed to take a break, I needed to cover other peoples breaks, do what ever projects the department manager left me plus I was always getting called up to the front to help cashier because of course they didn't schedule enough cashiers, plus they would constantly send us home at least 1hr to 2hrs early. Well of course I could never get my department spotless by the end of night I only had 30 minutes to put away all the returns, and zone the department, which is never enough time because the department manager never cleaned up during the day. I did my job better than anyone else in apparel but management coached me a few times, saying that I didn't get my job done. I worked with some people who had a full 8 hours to get their job done and never did, they were too busy talking, but they never got talked to. This really upset me, if you want me to do my job then give me the time to do it, if I have to fill in because Walmart did not schedule more employees than take that into effect when at the end of the night my department isn't perfect. Also another complaint I had is when I went to college and I would come home on the weekends and work. My manager told me they were really short-handed and could use my help on Fridays. I had a work-study job at school and worked two Fridays a month until 5 pm and still had to travel over an hour back home, so I told her my situation and if she really needed me I could work the other Fridays. Well soon she started scheduling me ever Friday and when I told her I would not be able to come in because I had to work at my other job she said fine. Well I found out two months ago I tried to put a transfer into the Walmart where I go to school I was denied because I had too many times where I didn't show up when I was scheduled, of course the manager that did that to me no longer worked there so I was pretty much screwed, luckily I decided right there and then to just quit and I say it was the best decision of my life. One positive thing about my Walmart was that they paid me pretty well. My walmart was 1500 in watertown south dakota.

Posted by: Amanda Mack at June 29, 2005 01:09 AM

You forgot to mention that Walmart gets tax breaks for hiring the disadvantaged and disabled. But, they do not protect those employees from abusive managers. My supervisor literally yelled at me because I could not get my babysitter to stay longer so I could work overtime for her. I am not suppose to work over 6 hours anyway. I gave Christine the doctor's notice. But, she didn't care. She started scheduling me for longer hours because she needed to take care of personal business and she had to do it on company time. So, she needed someone to cover for her. She said terrible things about me, about my family, and about my husband and child. She even allowed her two favorite employees, the ones who get all weekends off, to harrass me. Today all three of them started telling me off because I could not get my babysitter to stay over 6 hours. Not only did Christine not stop her pets from insulting me, she encouraged it. She enjoyed my humiliation. All of them were telling me to grow up, that I have to move out of my mother-in-law's house, that my 3 year old toddler is going to be a brat because I don't put him in school, That my mother-in-law has to start telling her son what to do, that I'm not her child and I don't have to do what she says, that I should be thankful that Christine gave me a weekend off two weeks ago. (I think that was the third weekend I've had off since I started working there over a year ago). Her pets get every weekends off. The thing is, that none of this has to do with my doctor limiting my work hours. My mother-in-law has nothing to do with my disability. Christine just got mad because she didn't get her way and she wanted to humiliate me in front of everyone there, including the customers. She has to get her way or she punishes you. Even if you have no control over giving her what she wants. I feel sorry for the employees she will be supervising at the Arizona store where she is moving. Christine changes the work schedule daily and gets mad if you object. She gives you the crappy work shifts if you do not work when she says. I had to work every weekend, closing on Sunday nights, and opening on Monday mornings. She talks about her employee's personal business to other employees. She talks about them to each other. She plays favorites, causing ill feelings between them. They start to dislike each other because of the terrible things Christine has said. And, she enjoys it. My babysitter quit because of her foul mouth. I have no babysitter. So, I have no job. It's hard for people with disabilities to find work. But, who cares, right? Not Christine. She is moving from the Baldwin Park Photo Department in California to the photo department in an Arizona WalMart. That's all that matters to her.

Posted by: Caren Robles at August 5, 2005 09:41 PM

I was recently employed at Walmart in South Bend Indiana, Store #2680 for 7 months..what a JOKE Walmart is...They had me work almost every department, there TRAINING SUCKS like they do...I walked out at 4am this morning..There managers and ASSn't managers have no respect for hard working employees..the lazy ones get treated like their Sh*t don't stink..as for them claiming that Walmart treats their employees like family, is abunch of crap..they could care less about u..all there worried about is having bodies there...There night managers are lazy, they prop there feet up in the office and sleep..I have seen BOB THE ASS'nt Manager sleep on numerous occassions...I can't work for people who are phoney and have no respect for there employees... I would never again in this life time work for Walmart...

Posted by: Debby at August 13, 2005 09:56 PM

Its true, the lawyers of our country, being the money grubbing little pussies they are, afraid to take on Wally world! I slipped and fell because one of thier metal price signs fell on me nearly cutting off my knee-cap. The managers at the store wont even return my calls and all any lawyer can tell me is that I have to prove that they knew the sign would fall and that they failed to fix it! What a country we live in!

Posted by: Zoomlord at September 19, 2005 03:55 PM

Why is the Independence, MO store #1014 always have dirty floors and empty shelves. Why is this store running out of the prescription medicine? Why are the cashiers so hateful? I have been in several Wal-Marts from east Texas to Indep., MO and this store is the worst. I spend over $200.00 a month on prescriptions, but after they were out of stock, I decided to give my business to a competitor. Maybe Wal-mart doesn't need my business.

Posted by: Marshall C. Wilder at October 10, 2005 01:50 PM

I shopped at Walmart before I got a job there. I loved shopping there so why not join the team. So filed out an application and then interviewed with a manager named Karen. She came back at me and said that she thought I'd be a good Customer Service Supervisior, great that's the postion I was wanting. She than told me that they'd start me off as a cashier just to the training. I said okay that was reasonable so that I could learn the works. But than they hired 2 CSS that had no training in the retail world and worked other jobs and DID NOT have an open availibility. I had had 22 years of customer service training in may fields of retail,food service, business and education. The bottom line came done to my pay as a cashier at 8.75 per hour. Of course, I was to be fired I made too much money as a new employee.

Posted by: Jeanne Miller at October 31, 2005 02:43 PM

Posted by: Jeanne Miller at October 31, 2005 03:18 PM

I'm an associate at a local Wal-Mart SuperCenter. About 3 months ago, I fell off a ladder and badly injured my knee. I went to their medical provider, and after an MRI was told there was nothing wrong with my knee, that the MRI came back clear. The doctors nurse however called me and told me to get a second opinion. I did, as I was still in pain, and after 9 weeks of trying to contact CMI to arrange a second opinion, I was finally granted one. The doctor that I chose believes that I tore the meniscus in my knee, which requires surgery to correct. I saw him 2 weeks ago, and am waiting for CMI to contact me as to whether or not they approve treatment recommended by the new doctor. Glad I'm not dying, it may be another 9 weeks before CMI returns my calls again...

Posted by: Anonymous at November 17, 2005 04:08 PM

I work at Wal Mart. They put bamboo under my fingernails when I ask to go to the bathroom. When my family desperatly needed me home to assist with a dying family member they beat me with an aluminum bat.

I asked for Christmas sorry, a Winter Holiday they stuffed me in a closet for 60 days without food or water.

Once I asked to stop working after being on duty for 3,917 non stop hours and they threatened my children.

Do you think I should contiune working there or look for employment elsewhere?

Posted by: puff driver at November 17, 2005 06:47 PM

Walmart is pushing around subcontractors who do demo's there now. They expect the same performance as if the independent contractors work for them. The fact is they get paid every time a demo person comes into the store, They also get paid for advertising the product through out hard work to attract customers for different items weekly or daily.

Posted by: Mary S at December 2, 2005 06:03 PM

I work at Wal Mart and they are really bad. They paid me exactly what they told me that I was going to make. What a bunch of crap!
Them they told me they do not want a union in their stores. Imagine that, a company that does not want a union. What are they Pacifica Radio or some other union busting entity???

Then they told me I had to be on time and prepared for work. They must be kidding me right..

After all, I am a cry babby yuppie baby boomer that never sacrificed a thing in my life..
I have never known anything but a fat tummy and I am more selfish then any generation in America's history.
I cry about everything that I don't like. Even if it has nothing to do with me.

I am a self absorbed pussy....

The good news there have been 1,000 executed and I hope many more... Mumia, Tooke...

Posted by: puff driver at December 2, 2005 08:29 PM

I went to the Walmart Store # 68 in Ladson South Carolina. I had 3 cannisters of Walmart Brand Formula that had been purchased from their store two days prior, never openend and still sealed! My newborn baby 4 weeks old does not drink the Wal_mart brand formula; however, my relative thought she was assisting when she did purchase the formula along wth over $2000 in Holiday gifts. I did not have the receipt as i was simply asking for store credit. Sealed package, noticeable same brand in front of customer service.

I was told via the Store manager, Carmen Linder that I would not be getting a refund or store credit based on the below:

1) WIC (Women Infant and Children) law prohibit the exchange of their formula.
**** Wal-Mart formula is not covered under WIC.

2) The formula could be laced with drugs.Under no cicircumstances would Wal_mart give store credit for Formula because it could be laced with drugs.
****** The contents were noticeably wrapped in original wrap and sealed.

3) If I had the receipt then I could get store credit. !
****** I repeated the above and how each excuse she gave was not substantial and a lie.

I informed Carmen Linder that her excuses were three different ones, all of which were lies.

Wal-Mart wants to boast of being #1 in customer service? Carmen Linder, Store Manager #68 did not take her time to speak to me in person. Instead, she chose to handle this concern over the phone while I stood in front of approximately 15 people in customer service.

My next correspondence shall be with OHSA.

Bring back K-Mart and Wal-Mart......what goes around comes around.

Regards
Qamar

Posted by: Qamar at December 24, 2005 01:13 PM

I just have a few comments to make regarding "former" associates. First off, as a current associate, I have found that Wal-Mart does expect alot of their associates, but sorry to break the news to everyone SO DOES EVERY BUSINESS WHO IS COMMITTED TO FUTURE SUCCESS. I have found that most associates who were fired usually have the same excuses to why they got fired. You know what... WE ARE ALL TIRED OF HEARING IT. Most of your posts just tell us that you were fired due to poor performance. You all think that you should get special treatment when you can't even work to the level expected of you. And those of you who are there, if its that bad just leave... go flip burgers. Actually the last suggestion might be a tad too difficult for you to handle.
Thanks,
Itsprobablyyou!

Posted by: TJ at January 21, 2006 07:58 PM

I currently work at a walmart in south carolina. I just wanted to say that I hate working for walmart, but because of my weird school schedule and the small town I work in, I am left with no choice but to stick with the company. Our employees are lied to everyday, we are constantly understaffed, constantly cussed out, overworked, underpaid, and expected to go above and beyond duty and do whatever they tell us to. I wouldn't mind doing whatever is asked of me, but when I work a full day with only 3 cashiers on one side and only make $7.00/hr, there comes a time to stop expecting so much from a person. I understand that the real world offers more problems ahead...but I would like to say that once I get my degree and get cussed out by someone ignorant...at least I can say that I'm getting paid to be cussed out. $50,000 a year is a hell of a lot better than $8,000. Many people don't say anything because they have to stick with walmart because they have families to raise and insurance to hang onto. Hell, even lately most of those benefits are being taken away. I would like to thank the son and daughter of Sam Walton for dragging this company to hell. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves! Your father would roll in his grave if he knew what you were doing! Of course, you probably don't care because you're making your millions, perhaps billions a year and you're set for life. Some of us don't have it so good...but I'd like to thank you anyways. And to those of you who like to criticize walmart employees...I don't think anyone could pay you enough to spend a day in our shoes...especially being a cashier. Shut your mouths until you have done so. I am outragged by the way this company is running. I have been with the company for 2 years now and have constantly been denied a position other than a cashier because of my "school schedule", yet I will walk to a department days later and there will be someone completely new to the company there. That is some serious B.S!!!! I tried to call 1800walmart, but I can't get a live person. Does anyone know another number I can call? Thanks so much!

Posted by: Brandi at February 20, 2006 09:13 AM

My husband works at the Wal-Mart Tire and Lube and though he does a great job, there are others there that really don't care about customers. He says some of the guys he work with messed up this customer's car and act like they didn't do it. My husband is currently looking for a new job because Wal-mart expects him to do too much for such little pay and still get no respect for all the good jobs he's done. I use to work at Wal-mart too, it's really bad there. Wal-mart makes so much money and yet you can never get the over time money you deserve, especially if you are a loyal and good worker like me. Wal-mart don't care about their employees at all. Trust me, Wal-mart is really really a bad place to work for. One day, the whole world will unit and Wal-mart is going down.

Posted by: jv at February 20, 2006 11:19 AM

NathanNewman.org

November 08, 2002

WalMart- Corporate Criminal

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