WALMART to cut health benefits to a lot of their employees and raise premiums on the

[kevinpate]

Maybe they need to occupy Walmart.

The first 1% of the occupation forces will take over the camping section and control the tents, sleeping bags, pillow and inflatable wash basins, along with the shotguns. Then the others will find themselves complaining about that 1%, with most never realizing it's a very different 1%.

[Snowman]

The story plainly stated that this had nothing to do with the law.

By which you mean the newest laws, it is affected by earlier ones.

[Double Edge]

By which you mean the newest laws, it is affected by earlier ones.

From the original story:

The company cited rising health care costs, which have forced it to alter its insurance plans, the newspaper said. It said Wal-Mart noted that the change was not the result of the new federal health care law.

AKA...The Affordable Healthcare Act...Obamacare.

[Millie]

Let's all boycott Wal-Mart. Because there's not a single other company in America that has cut benefits in today's economy...

[Midtowner]

Let's all boycott Wal-Mart. Because there's not a single other company in America that has cut benefits in today's economy...

I've boycotted WalMart just because it's overall a terrible place to shop. That its management is composed of terrible people makes said boycott a bonus, however.

[Caboose]

I've boycotted WalMart just because it's overall a terrible place to shop. That its management is composed of terrible people makes said boycott a bonus, however.

Maybe your boycott will drive them out of business so all of their workers will finally be able to experience the utopia of unemployment.

[BBatesokc]

I've never understood the WalkMart haters. It can be a pretty ghetto place to shop (at least the one by me), but the prices are low, the selection is broad and they employ alot of people of all ages and abilities. I worked for WalMart years ago (the now closed on in the Village). I took the job when I started my first business in my teens. I could pay three employes, but I couldn't pay myself. They were easy to work for, worked with the odd schedule I needed and offered lots of opportunities for overnight work for extra money. Hate them all you want, but they support a lot of families.

[Midtowner]

Maybe your boycott will drive them out of business so all of their workers will finally be able to experience the utopia of unemployment.

Nah.. I just don't care for the place. As Mr. Bates said, too ghetto.

[HewenttoJared]

I've never understood the WalkMart haters. It can be a pretty ghetto place to shop (at least the one by me), but the prices are low, the selection is broad and they employ alot of people of all ages and abilities. I worked for WalMart years ago (the now closed on in the Village). I took the job when I started my first business in my teens. I could pay three employes, but I couldn't pay myself. They were easy to work for, worked with the odd schedule I needed and offered lots of opportunities for overnight work for extra money. Hate them all you want, but they support a lot of families.

The people they "employee" are paid so little that the taxpayers foot the bill for a lot of their needs. Our society subsidizes their pay. That's not something to be proud of or support. But they are pretty forward-thinking when it comes to sustainability and cost-reduction(occasionally by means other than payroll cuts). So it's hard to label them as a net positive or negative force.

[HewenttoJared]

Maybe your boycott will drive them out of business so all of their workers will finally be able to experience the utopia of unemployment.

Most people who work there would be better off finding new employment anyways.

[Just the facts]

Hate them all you want, but they support a lot of families.

That is exactly why they are hated. Collectivist would prefer that those families be supported by government.

[BBatesokc]

Nah.. I just don't care for the place. As Mr. Bates said, too ghetto.

Which, to me, is a perfectly good reason not to shop at any particular retailer. We actually usually opt to pay 5-10% more and go to Target. Usually a completely different vibe there.

That said, I still support the role WalMart fills 100%.

[BBatesokc]

Most people who work there would be better off finding new employment anyways.

I would disagree. Those with skills and education can do very well at WalMart if they choose to work their way up. The average longterm WalMart employee is probably pretty lucky to have that job. WalMart continuously pays at or often above wages for the same types of work and historically offers more flexibility and benefits. For those looking for part-time employment to supplement their income or between careers, you can't beat it.

Sure, you're not going to make $40k/yr. working a register, but should you?

[HewenttoJared]

Yes. There are retailers doing just fine operating with a living wage minimum.

And most of the people there do not have the faculties to "work their way up". And even if they did the stress of working in management at that particular retailer takes as many years off of your life as a pack-a-day smoking habit. More flexibility and benefits? What the hell? That's just wrong. Competitive pay based on a paper rubric of box-touches per hour? That really means something.

[HewenttoJared]

That is exactly why they are hated. Collectivist would prefer that those families be supported by government.

Those families ARE supported by the government.

[Midtowner]

That is exactly why they are hated. Collectivist would prefer that those families be supported by government.

Well, their kids will now be supported by Medicaid since the parents no longer have medical insurance, so I guess that makes you a collectivist?

[BBatesokc]

Yes. There are retailers doing just fine operating with a living wage minimum.

And most of the people there do not have the faculties to "work their way up". And even if they did the stress of working in management at that particular retailer takes as many years off of your life as a pack-a-day smoking habit. More flexibility and benefits? What the hell? That's just wrong. Competitive pay based on a paper rubric of box-touches per hour? That really means something.

Then I guess any disgruntled WalMart employees are welcome to go work for those unnamed retailers. Unless I missed the part where they are being forced to work there.

I'm sure you have some actual facts to back up your goofy comparisons to working WalMart management and smoking.

Actually, yes, lots of flexibility and better than average benefits for similar employment for full-tiume workers. I saw it first hand when I worked there in the late 80's early 90's and when my son worked there in recent years. A 24-hour store offers far more flexability than a 9-5 or 9-9. Plus, there are literally dozens of positions available in a single store.

Heaven forbid we put no responsibility or personal accountability on the workers themselves. If they want to make more, then work more, work elsewhere and educate yourself and develop your skills.

[Snowman]

Has their been any statements released on what percentage are full time workers with benefits at the stores? I was thinking like five or ten years ago their were complaints they often were being pretty heavy about not letting most people be full time employees; it also seems like teens, college students and retirees have made up a lot of the low end on pay. Not sure if it is possible to remove the numbers from the head store managers, distribution chain and corporate headquarters even if they are available though, since they likely get far better pay and benefits than the average employee.

[BBatesokc]

Has their been any statements released on what percentage are full time workers with benefits at the stores? I was thinking like five or ten years ago their were complaints they often were being pretty heavy about not letting most people be full time employees; it also seems like teens, college students and retirees have made up a lot of the low end on pay. Not sure if it is possible to remove the numbers from the head store managers, distribution chain and corporate headquarters even if they are available though, since they likely get far better pay and benefits than the average employee.

Here's some info. http://www.glassdoor.com/Hourly-Pay/...y-Pay-E715.htm

Also, many employees opt out of benefits because all they can wrap their head around is the fact it takes money out of their check. And yes, I realize that if you're check is based on $8/hr then you don't exactly have alot to spare. However, I also don't think any responsible adult should try and support themselves and their family being a cashier their entire life.

[HewenttoJared]

Then I guess any disgruntled WalMart employees are welcome to go work for those unnamed retailers. Unless I missed the part where they are being forced to work there.

I'm sure you have some actual facts to back up your goofy comparisons to working WalMart management and smoking.

Actually, yes, lots of flexibility and better than average benefits for similar employment for full-tiume workers. I saw it first hand when I worked there in the late 80's early 90's and when my son worked there in recent years. A 24-hour store offers far more flexability than a 9-5 or 9-9. Plus, there are literally dozens of positions available in a single store.

Heaven forbid we put no responsibility or personal accountability on the workers themselves. If they want to make more, then work more, work elsewhere and educate yourself and develop your skills.

I'm sure your son found them to be pretty flexible if he did well there, but for the bulk of employees in this and other retailers who use similar payroll models this does not happen.

Those other, decent-paying retailers are slower to spread. Unfortunately that's one of the problems with being a moral employer in this country. You have to compete against companies that have no qualms about paying so little that a significant number of their full-timers are on government assistance. Many of the people who work at places like this simply do not have the ability to improve themselves or are at least at a distinct disadvantage versus someone like myself or your son. And even if they do leave other retailers, who might not have wages quite as low, have also depressed their pay rates in response to the 900-pound employer in the room.

The research about job-related stress and its impact on heart disease and other dampers for life expectancy is very freely available online. Are you really going to make me look up something that you could research yourself with just a few minutes time?

[HewenttoJared]

Here's some info. http://www.glassdoor.com/Hourly-Pay/...y-Pay-E715.htm

Also, many employees opt out of benefits because all they can wrap their head around is the fact it takes money out of their check. And yes, I realize that if you're check is based on $8/hr then you don't exactly have alot to spare. However, I also don't think any responsible adult should try and support themselves and their family being a cashier their entire life.

It is not an opt-out system. It is opt-in. They also might fail to opt-in because the coverage is garbage, or because the employees honestly don't know what they're signing up for. They're doing enrollment right now, I suggest you go sit in on one. Ask their $9/hr HR people some probing questions about coverage, see how informed any hourly employees(including the ones whose job it is to inform their decisions) actually are. It'll be revealing.

[rcjunkie]

I'm sure your son found them to be pretty flexible if he did well there, but for the bulk of employees in this and other retailers who use similar payroll models this does not happen.

Those other, decent-paying retailers are slower to spread. Unfortunately that's one of the problems with being a moral employer in this country. You have to compete against companies that have no qualms about paying so little that a significant number of their full-timers are on government assistance. Many of the people who work at places like this simply do not have the ability to improve themselves or are at least at a distinct disadvantage versus someone like myself or your son. And even if they do leave other retailers, who might not have wages quite as low, have also depressed their pay rates in response to the 900-pound employer in the room.

The research about job-related stress and its impact on heart disease and other dampers for life expectancy is very freely available online. Are you really going to make me look up something that you could research yourself with just a few minutes time?

I'm 100% positive that no one is holding a gun to their head and making them work there, this is after all a free country.

[HewenttoJared]

I'm 100% positive that their reasons for staying feel genuine to them.

[Bunty]

Nah.. I just don't care for the place. As Mr. Bates said, too ghetto.

I heard it's awful to go there at 2 am due to the strange customers that time of night. Maybe that's when the ghetto really comes out.

[Caboose]

Most people who work there would be better off finding new employment anyways.

Hey look, HEW has decided he knows what is best for a bunch of people who didn't ask him for his input to begin with. If only we had people like you planning every facet of life for others, wow what a utopia.

Let me know when you decide to leave Petulant College Sophomore Land, and start thinking about things like an adult.