Walmart teacher friendly: Offering teachers discount on supplies

[Angela53510]

I live near an upper middle class small town in Alberta. The local Walmart has been suffering a lot in the last few years. Apparently, in our buoyant economy, no one wants to work for them. They would rather walk down the road and get a job on an oil rig, or even in other service industries that pay better.

So poor Walmart begged the City Council to build low cost housing for their employees. Because they cannot afford to live in this town on the wages that Walmart offers. Poor Walmart can't get enough employees because the Alberta economy is booming. So the City Council turned them down flat and told them to raise their wages, which is $9.95 Canadian.

They were so mad that the tax payers would not fund their poor employees. So much for capitalism or "giving back to the community."

Then we have the other offenders like Tim Hortons, which brings in short term workers from the Philippines, and puts them in housing, but then charges them more than they actually make. Shades of the 1930's and "I sold my soul to the company store."

And all happening in my neighborhood, where jobs go begging for bodies to work them. Capitalism gone a bit awry, do you think?

 

[SonInMe]

Walmart is an enormous, international, competition destroying, landscape altering, corporate monstrosity...
like all other entities of their enormity,
there is only one reason they do anything.

Something makes them money, or it doesn't.
Simple.

There is no other mantra in big business.

If teachers are getting a discount... good for them.

But to think this is pure altruism, coming from Walmart... a massive international conglomerate which is DAILY in the news for destroying other businesses around the world, and is daily in the news for all manners of deceptive and destructive business practices... that's just silly.

If you're a teacher and you're getting a discount, good for you.
Enjoy the discount.
But don't be silly enough to think Walmart loves you.

It's a huge international corporation no different than British Petroleum, Monsanto, Microsoft... or any other huge myopic corporation. They have one goal, and that is to make money. The best way to make money is ALWAYS through monopoly, unfair practices, utterly destroying competition, political lobbying, deception etc. etc.

Come on guys... this isn't rocket science.
This stuff is in the news every day.

Businesses are not in business to love anyone.....not even Russian brides.

Its to make money.

The one who does this the best survives.

I don't have a problem with that.

Unless you like paying twice as much for low quality goods.

Minimum wages are just that. I don't have a problem with that either.

Walmart at 2 am is pure entertainment as well.

 

[Nautilus]

Minimum wages become an issue though when people have to take on two or three jobs just to be able to pay rent, bills, and provide food and clothing for their family. Anyone who argues about jobs needing to pay a LIVABLE wage clearly has no compasssion or understands people who may work in those positions.

 

[Elizabeth619]

I hate to burst your bubble, but Walmart retail jobs here are careers for many. Many of them are held by single moms or dads who are fortunate enough to have a parent or grand parent who will keep their children while the work. They pay a lot better than the restaurants, motels, and other small businesses. Also, they have some very good paying jobs for people interested in retail management.

For those of you who think that they kill local businesses, it hasn't happened here. The only business that has closed because of Walmart was a Kmart. Their presence has resulted in several other new retail business coming to the area.

The stores that have done the most damage to Mom and Pop businesses are called Dollar General and Family Dollar. They are moving directly into the neighborhoods and it's virtually impossible for a Mom and Pop to compete with them.

Like I said, they were not created to be careers. Not every single parent has the opportunity to have grandma babysit them. These are entry level jobs. You only have to be 16 to work there. It isn't going to pay much. If one is struggling to make ends meet then they need to work their tail off for a promotion in management or extend their education and look for better jobs.

 

[SonInMe]

Minimum wages become an issue though when people have to take on two or three jobs just to be able to pay rent, bills, and provide food and clothing for their family. Anyone who argues about jobs needing to pay a LIVABLE wage clearly has no compasssion or understands people who may work in those positions.

Its called life.

Its why those who prepare have a better chance of success.

If you make minimum wage livable then less would work hard and achieve. Higher minimum wages cost jobs and keeps people poor....

but it sure is a good ad campaign, just too bad its all about emotion without and substance.

 

[Elizabeth619]

I'm just saying Wal-Mart should at least make an effort to offer hourly wages like CostCo or Whole Foods does for their employees. Neither of those businesses are hurting financially and their starting pay for new hires is $10 or more an hour while minimum wage is a paltry 7.25.

WalMarts starting average hourly wage for cashiers is 9.00

 

[Oncefallen]

Minimum wages become an issue though when people have to take on two or three jobs just to be able to pay rent, bills, and provide food and clothing for their family. Anyone who argues about jobs needing to pay a LIVABLE wage clearly has no compasssion or understands people who may work in those positions.

I worked my share of minimum wage jobs back when I was just out of high school. The interesting thing is that I didn't stay at minimum wage for long at any of them because I proved that I was worth more than what I was getting paid. My current job I started at $7.00 per hour (slightly better than minimum wage at that time) and within a year I was making $12. I currently work in a supervisory position and it amazes me the number of times people have told me that they won't produce any faster/better because they don't get paid enough. Why should my boss pay them more until they consistently prove they are worth more?

 

[SonInMe]

Life is earned, not given.