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November 29, 2008
Where Some See Tragedy, Unions See Opportunity
The trampling death of a Wal-Mart employee in New York is a terrible story. Unless, of course, you're a union thug. In that case, it's a golden opportunity to criticize a company you have not been able to assimilate.
The union is calling for an investigation "by all levels of government" to ensure justice for Damour's family and make sure that such an incident never happens at Wal-Mart again.Damour's death, and the reactions of those shopping at the time, is a sickening story. The fact that people still wanted to shop after some of them had caused the death of a fellow human being is revolting. Still, it's almost more disgusting to see union thugs regard this tragedy as nothing more than a chance to recruit new members into their thugocracy."If the safety of their customers and workers was a top priority, then this never would have happened," said Patrick Purcell, a projects director for the local UFCW. "Wal-Mart must step up to the plate and ensure that all those injured, as well as the family of the deceased, be financially compensated for their injuries and their losses. Their words are weak."
The UFCW has long been a harsh critic of Wal-Mart's, arguing that the world's largest retailer offers low wages and poor health care for its workers and pushes competitors and suppliers to do the same or go out of business.
Wal-Mart clearly should have done more to control the crowd that showed up for cheap HDTVs and computers. However, I've worked for the 'Evil Empire' and endured a few Black Fridays. The job stunk, but I never saw the reckless disregard for safety these union spokesmen seem to believe is a business practice of the retail chain.
I guess when one believes the propagation of one's own power is of utmost importance, facts matter less than opportunism.
Posted by slublog at November 29, 2008 08:40 PM
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Comments
I thought it was pretty creepy when they showed the pictures of the ambulance and the police and all there, and here are these people with their shopping carts all loaded down going past the police tape like nothing even happened.
And so -- what, the union would not have let such a thing happen? Yeah. Right.
(My neighbors and I raked leaves on Fri. AND on Sat. Darn leaves!)
Posted by: Kath at November 30, 2008 05:19 AM