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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Notice to the public: Wal-Mart rolls back wages |
Current rating: 0 |
by Nick Berveiler
Email: naberve (nospam) ilstu.edu (unverified!) |
27 Aug 2001
Modified: 09:17:09 PM |
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Wal-Mart's grand opening in Savoy recieved strong opposition by local labor. |
On Saturday, August 25, 2001 over 100 union workers from Champaign County picketed the grand opening of the newly constructed Wal-Mart in Savoy, Illinois. The picket was supported by the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council who urged all residents not to patronize Wal-Mart. The Savoy Wal-Mart was built by out of state, non-union contractors.
Driving down Neil Street past the Savoy Wal-Mart, signs were clearly visible saying:
"Wal-Mart rolls back wages"
"only rats shop here"
"Wal-Mart unfair to local labor"
"just drive by"
"shop at Kmart, Target, Sears"
"quiet, a rat was born"
All summer, Champaign county union workers have been picketing Wal-Mart for not using local labor while construction was going on by non-union workers with license plates from Tennessee and Kentucky.
With so many union workers standing next to Wal-Mart's private property, police were at Wal-Mart's service. Champaign County police, including the sheriff, made sure that union workers remained on the sidewalk and curb along the highway and informed them that they could only distribute fliers to people leaving Wal-Mart so that traffic into Wal-Mart would not be disrupted.
Urbana indymedia reporters were able to interview union workers at a picket last June. Here are some voices from the rank and file:
"If you don't use local labor, you're not supporting the community."
"Stop shopping at Wal-Mart and start looking for other alternatives."
"You're saying it's ok when you shop at Wal-Mart."
Union workers are hoping that Home Depot will not follow Wal-Mart's example and will use local labor if they decide to open a box store in Savoy.
Wal-Mart is clearly walking a fine line by hiring out of state non-union labor. Bloomington alderman Mike Matejka has indicated that the existing Wal-Mart in Normal was built with union labor, and the second Wal-Mart and future Mejier to be built in Bloomington-Normal will be built using local labor. |
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Guess Who Didn't Cover This Story Again? |
by Mike Lehman
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
27 Aug 2001
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That's right, the News-Gazette once again totally ignored this story. They totally ignored the rally in June, also, even though it was probably the biggest labor rally in a decade in Champaign County.
It seems the News-Gazette truly believes if they don't write about something, it didn't happen. Maybe they're right, since they have the power of being a monopoly daily paper in Champaign County (but to be fair, the DI, the only almost-daily alternative to the N-G, didn't cover this story either.)
This is something that every working family should consider in their dealings with the News-Gazette and one which you should especially consider when READING the News-Gazette. It's not always how they write about what's there, but what simply is NOT there to read. Be aware that management has a strong anti-union bias, although there are some good union brothers and sisters who work there.
Situations like this prove once again how much the Independent Media Center is needed in this community. Please be generous in your support of the IMC, as we're up against massively funded, powerful competition in getting the truth out. Consider becoming a volunteer citizen journalist yourself. When you see a story that isn't being reported, write it up and post it here.
Good story, Nick. |
