Letter: Wal-Mart’s real concern is money

Sunday, Oct. 17, 1999 | 10:32 a.m.

Wal-Mart has no more concern for "working families" than it does for the living standards of its own employees. Wal-Mart supplies minimum-wage, part-time jobs with no benefits. This might be OK for those who work to supplement family income. For those who are trying to raise families on what Wal-Mart pays, the taxpayers provide the health benefits and the food on the table through welfare programs. A class of working poor who can't quite survive on their wages is created. When Wal-Mart comes to town it gets the gold mine and we get the shaft.

Full-page newspaper ads, broadcast mailers and prime-time radio spots are costly. What if Wal-Mart invested that money in its employees? As a spouse of a union member whose wages and benefits have improved our lives, I wonder why Wal-Mart won't pay its employees a living wage with a benefit package? Why does it believe the community has the duty to support Wal-Mart's employees?

The consumer the company sheds crocodile tears for may save a few pennies at the cash register, but it is Wal-Mart which is taking money from your pocket when the tax bill arrives. Do your community a favor. Just say "No" to Wal-Mart.

DELIA A. PANICI

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