A Wal Mart Documentary Has Me Thinking..

[Hawkjr]

I'm wondering, after watching a couple of Wal Mart Documentaries, i'm starting to think that it won't be long before these people go union and show Wally whose really in charge.. Do you guys think that could possible happen?? if so i wondering those so low prices would be low for long???

Driving for Wal Mart is somewhat of a Dream Job, but if they went union they could possibly cut back on those big pay packages those Wally World Guys Get!!

[jonp]

What Documentary? Post a link if you can, Hawk.

If Wally Drivers went union look for wal-mart to do away with its own fleet entirely and contract with outside carriers for all of its DC Operations.

[Malaki86]

As a driver (not for Wally World), I agree with everyone that we need higher pay, paid for everything we do, etc. BUT...

In order to pay drivers what we should be paid would require money - and lots of it. Where's this money supposed to come from? Well, the shipping costs would have to escalate. Once the shipping costs go up, that means the cost to purchase the items then also has to go up to absorb the additional cost. We're in a major recession and people aren't spending money as it is. What would happen if all of a sudden everything costs 25-33% more? The current economy just couldn't handle it, sadly.

[Dejanh]

Only way that a drivers pay will go up is if the number of drivers decreases in comparison with the number of loads. Right now number of drivers is bigger that the number of loads available thus the current pay packages. Everyone i know outside the trucking buisiness wants to get in it because of this slow economy putting even bigger stress on the people already in the buisiness.

It will get worse before it gets better.

And yea, post that link to that documentary please?

[Fredog]

I think it will get better, csa2010 is going to force carriers to run legal which is going to drive the rates up, that is my prediction

[RostyC]

I think it will get better, csa2010 is going to force carriers to run legal which is going to drive the rates up, that is my prediction

We'll see, I certainly hope for positive change. That's a rarity though, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Got a small hangover this morning.............. here ya go Fredog.......... click here

Happy New Year

[Hawkjr]

What Documentary? Post a link if you can, Hawk.

If Wally Drivers went union look for wal-mart to do away with its own fleet entirely and contract with outside carriers for all of its DC Operations.

not wally drivers but the store workers in general.. Trust me, Wally Driver's have no reason to go Unions.. and here's a link but you have to start at part one and work your way to 11..

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

[Fredog]

We'll see, I certainly hope for positive change. That's a rarity though, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Got a small hangover this morning.............. here ya go Fredog.......... click here

Happy New Year

I remember about a thousand years ago watching an interview with Mick Jagger and he said " I cant imagine doing this when I'm forty"

[Glad Hand]

The unions have already rendered America’s manufacturing industrial base uncompetitive and virtually non-existent. Hence, there is no more American manufacturing industrial base to speak of today because it has all either succumbed to foreign competition or was otherwise forced to move overseas to remain viable and survivable. Hence, with no manufacturing industrial base to destroy, the unions are forced to look elsewhere for new members and dues. Thus, the current vilification and demonization campaign to coerce Wal-Mart into accepting being unionized.

In any event, if Wal-Mart does become unionized, look for its quick death as it will not be able to remain competitive with its competition, and if the retail industry gets unionized as a whole, then look for foreign retailers to move into the USA big time in mass and simply destroy that segment of our economy too, like our industrial manufacturing base before was destroyed by unions.

Unionism is nothing but a manmade parasite as it eventually destroys like cancer every industry it inflicts. It is also anti-capitalism and anti-free markets and since it is incompatible with our society, which is based on capitalism, it should be outlawed and banned ASAP.

[GMAN]

I agree, Glad Hand. Much of our government is unionized, at least at the federal level. It is bloated and over paid. We have people in the government who are being paid six figures. They can't strike but must pay these union dues. It is no wonder our government is paralyzed when it comes to dealing with unions. It is a legal way for the unions to shake down the government and influence legislation. Unions are a major reason why much of our manufacturing base has relocated off shore.

Until this country wakes up I don't see things changing. I have never felt the need to be "protected" by a union. Those who want to work and produce don't need a union. What we need is greater productivity. What we get with unions is lower productivity and higher labor costs. Back in the 50's and 60's we didn't have so much union influence. We had a strong industrial base and good paying jobs. The government was also much more responsive to the people. After unions got their foot in the door it was much easier to move off shore rather than dealing with the crippling effect of the unions. I have a friend who used to be in the textile business. He and others provided good paying jobs that produced a superior product. The textile industry is pretty much devastated in this country. When we import more than we export it jeopardizes our national security. That is the situation we are in today.

I don't see Walmart going union. In the past, many retail workers were paid minimum wage and commission on what they sold. It was a good way for teens and others to enter the workforce and gain some solid work experience. Some made careers out of retail and earned a good living for their families. Unionizing may sound good to those who want to make a bigger paycheck. If you look at the ramifications, it doesn't look so good. These multinational corporations don't need to stay in the U.S. At one time the United States was the most business friendly country in the world where a company could come and prosper. Companies from around the world wanted to move here and use American workers. For the last several decades we have seen an exodus of companies moving to more friendly countries. Unions are not the only reason, but it is a major factor. Unions killed the steel industry and have nearly destroyed the auto industry. You would think that they would have learned by now.

[Roadhog]

I don't see Walmart going Union at least over the next few years. So far Walmarts lawyers have pushed back, and made SEIU back off and look for easier game.

SEIU will get most of the new healthcare and hospital contracts. Andy Stern (Pres. of SEIU) has been at the White House more than anyone else over the last year. (over 22 visits) Eventually, they will get more power and control, as the government gains in power and control. Then I see things shifting quickly and dramatically.

[Orangetxguy]

Hey....Hawk JR. Are you still pulling Wally freight with a pumpkin truck? If so.....were you at the Pilot in Talleysville VA (exit 211 off I-64 I think)on the 31st??


Saw 2 Pumpkin trucks pulling Wally trailers wheel in and wheel out while I was stewing.

[Jackrabbit379]

If Wal-Mart went Union, would that mean that they would have lower prices?

[Orangetxguy]

If Wal-Mart went Union, would that mean that they would have lower prices?

If Wally went union in the stores....then the workers would end up like those whom work for Krogers, Safeway, Winn-Dixie and the like, whom are Union...they would work less hours, so they wouldn't qualify for bennies.

[GMAN]

I don't see Walmart going Union at least over the next few years. So far Walmarts lawyers have pushed back, and made SEIU back off and look for easier game.

SEIU will get most of the new healthcare and hospital contracts. Andy Stern (Pres. of SEIU) has been at the White House more than anyone else over the last year. (over 22 visits) Eventually, they will get more power and control, as the government gains in power and control. Then I see things shifting quickly and dramatically.

The sheep who vote for these unions have no idea of the repercussions of their decision. The ones who make most of the money out of these arrangements are the unions. They don't understand that when wages go up without increased productivity that the price of the products they sell or manufacture must also go up. At some point there will be a threshold and once reached it will be in the interest of the company to close or relocate to remain viable. They will no longer be competitive. Actually, it might be good if Walmart did unionize. It would enable smaller retailers to be more competitive with the mega retailer. Smaller companies pay more taxes than large companies.

My guess is that the union will be given a pass by the Obama people and may even have them put pressure on Walmart to allow the organization of the mass retailer. It would not bode well for the administration if Walmart cut back too much on their purchases from China. That seems to be where Walmart gets most of their products these days. If they raise prices too much then sales will fall.

We seem to have forgotten that we have equal opportunity in this country. We are not all necessarily created equally in abilities. Each of us has unique abilities. Those abilities are not always in the same area. That means that just because two people have the same job they may not, nor should they be guaranteed the same pay. Those who produce the most should be paid a higher wage than someone who only puts forth the minimum effort. Capitalism operates on the premise that those who produce the most are rewarded according to their efforts.

[Jackrabbit379]

I didn't know Krogers, Safeway, and Winn-Dixie were Union. Hmmm. You learn something every day!

We used to have Safeway, years ago. Also Winn-Dixie. All of the Winn-Dixie stores here closed, a few years ago.

Could you imagine Wal-Mart employees being teamsters??

[Hawkjr]

Hey....Hawk JR. Are you still pulling Wally freight with a pumpkin truck? If so.....were you at the Pilot in Talleysville VA (exit 211 off I-64 I think)on the 31st??


Saw 2 Pumpkin trucks pulling Wally trailers wheel in and wheel out while I was stewing.

naw man.. that's four months behind me lol.. i have a semi local job now!!
But i honestly missed that job, if they cleaned somethings up i would run back over there but for the time being i will look from the outside in..
BTW, i would never stay at that Pilot!!! Just about any Pilot For That Matter, I would rather make the U-Turn and go stay at the Rest Area on the Eastbound Side lol

[Hawkjr]

I didn't know Krogers, Safeway, and Winn-Dixie were Union. Hmmm. You learn something every day!

We used to have Safeway, years ago. Also Winn-Dixie. All of the Winn-Dixie stores here closed, a few years ago.

Could you imagine Wal-Mart employees being teamsters??

Naw Jackrabbit, there not union, at least not around here, but they are paid a decent wage FOR THEIR WORK and aren't treated like crap.. at least most people i know that work at supermarkets..

[GMAN]

I didn't know Kroger's, Safeway, and Winn-Dixie were Union. Hmmm. You learn something every day!

We used to have Safeway, years ago. Also Winn-Dixie. All of the Winn-Dixie stores here closed, a few years ago.

Could you imagine Wal-Mart employees being teamsters??

We had several Kroger's here but they could not compete. Another union fatality.

[GMAN]

Naw Jackrabbit, there not union, at least not around here, but they are paid a decent wage FOR THEIR WORK and aren't treated like crap.. at least most people i know that work at supermarkets..

When I was in high school I worked at a grocery store sacking groceries and putting up stock. I was treated well. Often times when people say that they are poorly treated, it is their attitude and not their employer. You can't make a blanket statement that everyone who is not a member of a union is poorly treated and not paid well. That is not the case. If unions were so great then most of the country would be member of a union. I prefer a right to work state. If you have a positive attitude you will usually be well received. Good workers can and do earn a good living at non union companies. They don't need a union to speak for them. A good worker hones his skills or gets additional training or more education so that he can work his way up to a better paying position. All unions do is protect the incompetent and penalize the employer. Unions fear workers being paid on productivity.