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Le Wal-Mart Effect, N'est-ce Pas?
Wal-Mart Employees in Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada, became the first in Wal-Mart employees in North America to vote to unionize the employees in their store. What happened to them as a result? The corporate bullies at Wal-Mart headquarters closed the store, throwing its 190 employees out of work.
The union movement is much healthier in Canada than the in the United States. Whereas unions have dropped to 12.5% of the workforce in the US, they comprise over 28% of the workforce in Canada and the movement is still growing.
Clearly the company is seeking to send a strong message to employees who want to start a union to lobby against Wal-Mart's low pay -- starting at about $6.20 (U.S.) an hour -- its floating shifts for part-timers, or the rules that limited some full-time employees to 28 hours of work a week. And that message seems to be "Unionize, and you will lose your jobs."
In Canada, where some towns have up to 40% of their workforce carrying union cards, it was not long before the employees sought to unionize against the treatment which has become so commonplace in other stores. Here's what happened to them:
Those involved in the organizing effort claim they were harassed by the company. "We were targeted fairly quickly by Wal-Mart," said Pierre Martineau, a 60-year-old maintenance man who helped organize the union. He said he was humiliated and ridiculed by managers at a storewide meeting and followed around by supervisors who made implied threats.
"I felt treated worse than an animal," he said.
[...]
But it became moot in February, when Wal-Mart announced it would close the store. Company officials said it was losing money, and the demands of the union would have made it even less tenable.
"You can't take a store that is a struggling store anyway and add a bunch of people and a bunch of work rules," Wal-Mart chief executive H. Lee Scott Jr. told The Washington Post after the announcement.
Some here in Jonquiere don't believe the company's claim that the store was losing money. They say the chain sacrificed the store to make a point to its employees across Canada and the United States, where union organizers are involved in dozens of organizing drives and court battles.
"They closed it to be a threat to other unions," said Tremblay, the mayor. "We know that for Wal-Mart, Jonquiere is nothing. They wanted to close it to make a lesson to other Wal-Marts."
Wal-Mart reported profits of $10 billion last year. How much was the store actually losing for them to pull the plug? And when it comes to profits and retailing power, when is enough, enough?
Here's a different question to think about. How would this play if it were Indiana and not Canada? How long do you think American workers will stand for this kind of treatment?
Is it possible that Wal-Mart may go too far in its anti-union activities and actually push people to form unions?
Could there be a backlash against Wal-Mart that could restart the forward motion of unions in America again?
What do you think about Wal-Mart's labor practices?
I think they pretty much suck. I shop at Costco.
I hope so. Unions were originally intended to protect us fromt he rich business owners, the corrupt politicians, and unsafe work places.
Viva la Union Labor!!!
Sorry all, but this is a REALLY long but important post but all the information is connected to the election fraud and progress being made on it. I know it's a pain, but please read and participate too. Thanks...
Blast the media to:
Cover the BREAKING ELECTION FRAUD/REFORM STORIES
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As you read below, you will see that the last two weeks have been unprecedented! We are making some real inroads into exposing (and getting coverage of) THE ELECTION FRAUD, AND NEEDED ELECTION REFORM.
So take positive action now! Let's keep the momentum going!
Send the following message to the National Media, and then tell everyone you know to do the same!
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In just four mouse clicks, (and a little copying/pasting) tell 391 national media contacts to Cover the NATIONAL ELECTION REFORM CONFERENCE. (It takes less than two minutes to make a difference!)
You will send the following message:
http://www.independentmediasource.com/voteintegrity.htm
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The last two weeks have seen an unprecedented series of events and articles regarding election reform, and the investigation of the 2004 election irregularities. As you can see below, many media venues (and highly respected statesmen/politicians) are now investigating and speaking out on these issues. Isn’t it time you do it too?
Please investigate and report on these important stories:
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The Carter/Baker commission (first hearing scheduled for Monday, April, 18th):
Press release:
Jimmy Carter to Chair Election Reform Commission
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsN...
Commission on Federal Election Reform (website):
http://www.american.edu/ia/cfer /
Congressman John Conyers, the ranking minority member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, letter former-President Jimmy Carter
http://www.conyersblog.us/archives/ltrtopotuscarter.pdf
http://www.conyersblog.us /
Related story:
“Conyers to Carter: James Baker 'Inappropriate' for Blue-Ribbon Election Commission!
Ranking Minority House Judiciary Comm. Member Calls for True Voting Rights Advocates to Be Included on Commission
ALSO: American Center for Voting Rights GOP Front Group Confirmed as 'Academic Advisor' to Panel!
In a letter sent yesterday by Congressman John Conyers, the ranking minority member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, to former-President Jimmy Carter, Conyers has expressed his "strong opposition" to the "conflicting interest" of having Bush/Cheney loyalist, James A. Baker, III serve as the Co-Chair of a recently seated blue-ribbon commission set to investigate Election 2004!
Carter has been named as Co-Chair, along with Baker, on the secretly convened and recently announced commission to investigate problems in Election 2004 and to make recommendations on changes needed to improve accuracy, confidence, transparency and inclusion in the American Electoral System.”
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001316.htm
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MSNBC/REUTERS: Washington state suit wants vote machines opened
SEATTLE, April 12 - “An electronic voting machine maker is battling a voter rights advocate in Washington State who wants to force the company to reveal the machines' software blueprint.”
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/reuters04-12-165037...
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Miami Herald Discusses Clint Curtis, Calls for a Return to Paper Ballots!
Condemns E-Voting, Outlines a Litany of What Went Wrong in 2004 Election Fiasco!
“The drumbeat of the pro-democracy movement in America (who could have ever imagined there'd be a need for one in this country?!) seems to be growing louder as more and more Mainstream Media folks get into the game!
Following on the heels of yesterday's Miami Herald piece about Miami-Dade's possible return to paper ballots, Herald columnist, Robert Steinback jumps in with a damning condemnation of Electronic Voting today pointing out that, "Nothing is more important, for the world's pre-eminent democracy, than assuring the sanctity of each vote."
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001318.htm
Summary of the Clint Curtis story:
“In his (Curtis) affidavit and videotaped sworn testimony presented before members of the U.S. House Judiciary committee, Curtis claims to have been asked by U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney (R-FL) to design a "vote-rigging software prototype".
http://www.bradblog.com/ClintCurtisSummary.htm
Related story:
CLINT CURTIS PASSES POLYGRAPH EXAM!
Story Broken in Florida's St. Petersburg Times by Pulitzer Prize Winning Reporter!
“The lie-detector test, administered to Curtis by Tim Robinson, the retired chief polygraph operator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, found that the Florida whistleblowing software designer who has charged in a sworn affidavit that he was asked by U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) to create an electronic vote-rigging software prototype in 2000, was indeed found to be truthful in all of his responses!”
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001313.htm
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(Chicago) Tribune Media Services syndicate – (Story to be published April 14th) - The
THE SILENT SCREAM OF NUMBERS by Robert C. Koehler - Tribune Media Services
“As they slowly hack democracy to death, we're as alone - we citizens - as we've ever been, protected only by the dust-covered cliches of the nation's founding: "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
It's time to blow off the dust and start paying the price.
The media are not on our side. The politicians are not on our side. It's just us, connecting the dots, fitting the fragments together, crunching the numbers, wanting to know why there were so many irregularities in the last election and why these glitches and dirty tricks and wacko numbers had not just an anti-Kerry but a racist tinge. This is not about partisan politics. It's more like: "Oh no, this can't be true."
I just got back from what was officially called the National Election Reform Conference, in Nashville, Tenn., an extraordinary pulling together of disparate voting-rights activists - 30 states were represented, 15 red and 15 blue - sponsored by a Nashville group called Gathering to Save Our Democracy. It had the feel of 1775: citizen patriots taking matters into their own hands to reclaim the republic. This was the level of its urgency.”
The complete article is posted here:
http://www.gnn.tv/headlines/2172/The_Silent_Scream_of_N...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Background info on the National Election Reform Conference here:
http://www.freepress.org/conf.php
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April 1st - Analysis of the 2004 Presidential Election Exit Poll Discrepancies
The report concludes: “ We believe that the absence of any statistically-plausible explanation for the discrepancy between Edison/Mitofsky’s exit poll data and the official presidential vote tally is an unanswered question of vital national importance that needs thorough investigation.”
Complete report:
http://electionarchive.org/ucvAnalysis/US/Exit_Polls_20...
An executive summary of the report by is available at:
http://electionarchive.org/ucvAnalysis/US/Exit_Polls_su...
Press release:
Scientific Analysis Suggests Presidential Vote Counts May Have Been Altered
“Officially, President Bush won November's election by 2.5%, yet exit polls showed Kerry winning by 3% . According to a report to be released today by a group of university statisticians, the odds of a discrepancy this large between the national exit poll and election results happening by accident are close to 1 in a million.
In other words, by random chance alone, it could not have happened. But it did.”
http://www.uscountvotes.org/index.php?option=com_conten...
Related stories:
Group says chance of exit polls being so wrong in '04 vote is one-in-959,000
By Stephen Dyer - Beacon Journal staff writer
“There's a one-in-959,000 chance that exit polls could have been so wrong in predicting the outcome of the 2004 presidential election, according to a statistical analysis released Thursday.”
“The explanation for the discrepancy that was offered by the exit polling firm -- that Kerry voters were more likely to participate in the exit polling -- is an ``implausible theory,'' according to the report issued Thursday by US Count Votes, a group that claims it's made up of about two dozen statisticians.”
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/11284237.htm
Analysis - Vote Counts May Have Been Altered
“The consortium that conducted the presidential exit polls, Edison/Mitofsky, issued a report in January suggesting that the discrepancy between election results and exit polls occurred because Bush voters were more reticent than Kerry voters in response to pollsters.
The authors of this newly released scientific study "Analysis of the 2004 Presidential Election Poll Discrepancies" considers this "reluctant Bush responder" hypothesis to be highly implausible, based on extensive analysis of Edison/Mitofsky's exit poll data. They conclude, /“The required pattern of exit poll participation by Kerry and Bush voters to satisfy the exit poll data defies empirical experience and common sense under any assumed scenario.”
A state-by-state analysis of the discrepancy between exit polls and official election results shows highly improbable skewing of the election results, overwhelmingly biased towards the President.”
“Ph.D. statisticians in America who have seen this group's preliminary exit poll study have not refuted it. This new study is a much more comprehensive an analysis of the exit poll discrepancies.”
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00001.htm
A Funeral and a Photo Op
Bush Teaches Young Americans How to Use—and When to Ignore—Religion
By Dr. Teresa Whitehurst
April 14, 2005
http://www.jesusonthefamily.org/A%20Funeral%20and%20a%20Photo%20Op.htm
Many good points on Bush using religion for his own gain.
(posted from the previous thread...sorry i'm slow)
I too am a Comcast sufferer. This is the second time the network has gone thru this in my area. I am not having any fun.
As far as the post I made that Casey elevated, I really sat and struggled with it. I could not get the entire Florida debacle out of my mind. Then the politics in the aftermath, and the conferences being held gave me more to think about. These people are truly frightening. They would like to be thought of as Bible driven do-gooders doing the Lord's work. But, if you really really listen to them, they are full of anger and rage at being thwarted. There is no spiritual goodness in them to be shared with their fellow man. Rather, they hate entire segments of the population. Their hate of people drives them, not their love of God.
The religious right, and the political right are not the giving people. They are in place to take away. The religious right is prepared to allow their followers to live in near poverty, without decent wages, healthcare, etc. in order to further their moral domination. And the political right is prepared to make morality laws, as long as their corporate and wealthy friends keep getting richer. One hand is indeed washing the other, but the DIRT isn't coming off.
I wonder, who is laughing at whom? Do the fundies think they have the politicos over a barrel, control their fate at the ballot boxes? Do the politicos laugh at how easily the gullible fundies have given them control of the country, all in exchange for a few morality platforms?
I think both groups somehow see themselves as coming out the big winners. That old saying about there being no honor among theives comes to mind. If the country itself is the big prize, it still isn't big enough for them to share it forever.
I've read what everyone is posting. We see what isgoing on, and of course we know that many millions of people have not the faintest clue. People in the dark are the easist people to dominate, use, and abuse. People don't pay attention until it's too late to do anything.
Shed light. It's the only thing we can do. Shed light on the hatred and the greed. Tell people that there is the political right that wants their money, and the religious right that wants their life.
The religious right and the political right both have their plans about what they can TAKE AWAY from people. It's about taking, limiting, silencing, narrowing, curtailing, intimidating, and eliminating.
When you don't know what to say--ask people if they are religious, if they are prepared to give up the God who loves them, for a very different God. And ask people if they want political right morals as the laws of the land. Ask people if they are prepared to never see another Florida again--not because they spoke out and had an opinion, not because there are courts, not because they know the difference between right and wrong, but because left alone, without their voices now, their voices will be outlawed.
'Love one another as I have loved you' That is the ultimate law. That is the one I learned. Judge not. Tolerance. Kindness. Equality. Understanding.
I'm seriously using that question I posed to Rick Santorum, and I think it applies to the vast majority of the religious and political right......
Are you really going to stand in front of God with that soul?
David Sirota says: http://www.davidsirota.com/2005/04/whats-wrong-with-house-democrats.html
Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY, Brooklyn and Queens) is pushing fellow House Dems to support this bill. Call him (http://www.house.gov/formcrowley/contact.htm)
Wal-Mart is so full of "R"'s and disdain for "L"'s, they should change their name to WarMart.
If das boot fits...
If das boot fits...
Posted by: monkey at April 14, 2005 02:31 PM
. . . Wehrmacht it?
A small victory perhaps?
String small victories together and we eventually win big battles...
Hi Robert,
On March 13, we launched the Stop Fake News campaign. Since then, over 26,933 of you sent a message directly to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Today, we can declare a major victory! The FCC has heard your voice and declared that TV broadcasters must disclose the source of video news releases (VNRs) produced by the government.
This is what today's Washington Post article, "Broadcasters Must Reveal Video Clips' Sources, FCC Says," said:
Television broadcasters must disclose to viewers the origin of video news releases produced by the government or corporations when the material runs on the public airwaves, the Federal Communications Commission said yesterday.
The FCC's ruling comes as video news releases produced by the Bush administration and aired as part of local television news reports have come under attack from critics who call them unlabeled Republican propaganda.
-- Read the full Washington Post Article
FCC commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein said that public comments such as the 26,933 comments from our community were critical in provoking this announcement.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps:
"Everyone understands that a story cannot be judged without knowing its source, but increasingly the source goes unreported. Recently tens of thousands of citizens contacted the FCC demanding an investigation into the failure of broadcasters to disclose their use of government-generated "news" stories. They were right to do so. This Commission should investigate each such case. And it should strenuously enforce the rules against inadequate sponsorship identification." (emphasis added)
-- Read Commissioner Copps' Full Statement. (PDF)
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein:
"We have recently received a large number of complaints from the public about VNRs that were created by or for the federal government, and which were broadcast on television stations without identifying the government's role in developing the VNR." (emphasis added)
-- Read Commissioner Adelstein's Full Statement. (PDF)
You can read the full FCC Public Notice on VNRs by clicking here. (PDF)
As in our StopSinclair campaign, you have shown that when we speak together, with one voice, we can Start Change. This is just the beginning. We will continue to keep our eyes on government-produced newscasts and other fake news that this administration produces, but today is a major victory. Enjoy it!
Thank you for making this possible,
Arkadi, Marc, Tim and the entire StartChange Team
www.StartChange.org
Excited about this successful campaign? Help us do more.
Contribute to StartChange today.
From Yahoo News --
Congress Passes Bankruptcy Reform Bill
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050414/ap_on_go_co/bankruptcy_15
The Bankruptcy Bill
GOVERNMENT OF THE WEALTHY, BY THE WEALTHY, AND FOR THE WEALTHY OFFICIALLY BEGINS TODAY.
(See Full Link above)
** SNIP **
In a bitter scene on the House floor, Democrats — most of whom opposed the legislation — used an array of parliamentary maneuvers to delay the final vote, forcing an unsuccessful roll call vote on adjourning the session and lining up one by one to register their objections in brief, biting statements.
Democrats were furious that the GOP leadership allowed none of the 35 amendments they had proposed earlier to be voted on. They particularly wanted provisions that would exempt from the new bankruptcy requirements military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and people whose indebtedness is the result of financial identity theft.
***********************************
So, Identity theft victims, and even returning veterans will be slammed by this new legislation which President Bush is reportedly anxious to sign. Maybe the President can go back for a troop visit and tell them how much he appreciates their service again.
Congressional leaders have YET AGAIN taken the side of corporate interests and America's wealthiest families in their continuing war on the middle class. Democrats, YET AGAIN, fought for working America, but couldn't stem the tide of corporate power in Congress.
In combination with the repeal of the "Estate Tax," which of course, reduces the taxes paid by the wealthiest 3% of families, this pretty much shifts the tax burden to working families across the country for many years to come.
Congratulations, Mr. Bush. On behalf of working people everywhere, and our children and grandchildren, let me just say that I sincerely hope you enjoy the tax break you gave yourself. I want to assure you that we don't mind carrying the load on your behalf. Also, it makes us especially proud that the new legislation really holds middle and lower class Americans accountable, while providing loopholes for the wealthiest among us.
It's the American Dream.
Posted by: Victoria Ellen at April 14, 2005 04:14 PM
Democrats and republicans who supported this bill should be taken out of office. I'm going to spread the word as of right now, even if I have to go door to door across 10 cities and 50 miles. This attack on the middle class and on the same people who are losing help from the government is really ticking me off. The middle class and the poor are being beaten with a stick by this administration and this congress and I hope this bites them in 18 months.
Go Sparrow!!
I'm with you.
And they DARE to say that those who are not rich are because they didn't work hard enough.
Uniquely American crap.