Wal-Mart Stories
Susan Chambers Memo
On October 26, 2005 the New York Times reported a "secret" memo written by Susan Chambers, Wal-Mart Executive Vice President for Benefits, for the Wal-Mart Board of Directors. The memo shatters Wal-Mart's healthcare mythology and reveals that the company executives are strategizing to implement policies that intentionally benefit its bottom line over the welfare of employees.
DOL Sweetheart Deal
In January 2005, Wal-Mart reached a settlement with Department of Labor for violations pertaining to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Wal-Mart paid a $135,540 fine after an investigation found that the company allowed 85 workers, aged 16 and 17, to participate in activities "including loading and occasionally operating or unloading scrap paper balers, and operating fork lifts." While Wal-Mart denied any wrongdoing, they signed an agreement with the department's Wage and Hours Division to make sure they would not have any problems in the future.
Maryland Fair Share
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the world's largest retailer, has been criticized repeatedly for providing inferior health care benefits and costing unwilling taxpayers millions of dollars. In April 2005, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that would have compelled the notoriously stingy company to increase its share of spending on health care for its employees. Wal-Mart, which fills the campaign coffers of Governor Ehrlich, said it was "grateful" when he vetoed the bill. The Maryland General Assembly ended up overriding Governor Ehrlich's veto in January 2006 --- despite intense lobbying efforts by Wal-Mart.
Lee's Garage
When a disgruntled Wal-Mart manager leaked a confidential, internal Web site--dubbed "Lee's Garage"--to Wal-Mart Watch in early 2006, the American public got a chance to see what Lee Scott really thinks.
Dukes Case
Wal-Mart is currently involved in an enormous discrimination lawsuit. The Dukes case represents 1.6 million present and former female employees, and is the largest class action lawsuit and civil rights case against a private employer in U.S. history.
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