infobong.com

Here's another story that should be front-page news - the world's largest retailer was convicted yesterday of forcing its workers to work overtime off the clock. To keep costs down, Wal-Mart "encourages" its managers to avoid paying overtime, even if it means intimidating workers to perform tasks off the clock, as documented in this New York Times story from the summer.
If you think its a coincidence that Wal-Mart is a darling of Wall Street and it uses abusive labor practices, think again. Analysts and shareholders love its formula of sweatshopped goods and mistreated workers since it keeps costs down and profits high. Workers in Las Vegas are attempting to unionize distribution centers there. In an interesting use of media, local organizers rent time on a local AM station where workers can call in and air their grievances about Wal-Mart management. In my opinion, one of the most interesting shows was an interview with turncoat union-buster Marty Leavitt, who came on the show to explain union-busting tactics to the workers, so they could identify them when management turned up the heat.

In related news, The Austin Chronicle reports Austin-based Whole Foods fired two workers in Madison that were involved in organizing there. A friend of mine worked in the kitchen of a Whole Foods in Berkeley and assured me that not only was Whole Foods not one of "the best companies to work for," but one of the worst jobs he's held.