Thursday, December 17, 2009

Movement on Wal-Mart?

It seems Mayor Daley is eager to move this impasse on opening more Wal-Marts in Chicago:
Mayor Richard M. Daley is pressing aldermen, union leaders and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to resolve their differences and open the door for the world’s biggest retailer to expand in Chicago.

The mayor said following Wednesday’s City Council meeting that he’s calling on all sides in the debate “to sit down and come up with some common ground as quickly as possible,” according to published reports.

Mr. Daley, who at the meeting introduced several ordinances aimed at creating jobs in the city, also acknowledged that he was raising the specter of the city’s “big box” ordinance, a piece of failed legislation pushed by some aldermen that would have required large retailers to pay its workers at least $10 an hour plus benefits. The mayor vetoed the ordinance, and the aldermen were not able to override it.

“I am raising a political hot potato,” he said. “These are very complex issues. They are completely different than they were three years ago.”
We all know about the Wal-Mart that was to be built in the neighboring 21st Ward with Ald. Howard Brookins in very hot pursuit, but another ward Ald. Anthony Beale in the 9th is seeking a Wal-Mart although he may take issue with how Wal-Mart compensates their workers. Excerpt from Tribune:
Ald. Howard Brookins Jr., 21st, who long has pushed for a Wal-Mart in his South Side ward, and Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, met with labor leaders to discuss what it would take to end their opposition.

Beale said the unions have indicated they would drop their resistance if Wal-Mart guaranteed workers at least $11.03 per hour, built stores using union labor and met standards for other benefits.

Bisio insisted the company has always been willing to talk to labor leaders but said Wal-Mart will stand firm on its pay scale and benefits. Wal-Mart workers average about $11 an hour, he said, though entry-level workers make about $8.

"It doesn't make sense for us to dignify that because to do so would be to accept that what we offer (compared to other large retail companies) isn't good enough, and that's just not the case," Bisio said.
Here's an editorial from the Sun-Times:
The time for a South Side Wal-Mart has come. Unemployment in the Chicago region hovers above 11 percent, with higher rates among blacks.

City revenues are down 31 percent from a high point in 2007.

Even Mayor Daley, who hasn't pushed hard for Wal-Mart for fear of alienating the unions, is publicly going to bat for the superstore.
...
It's now up to Ald. Edward M. Burke to make it happen.

An ordinance to allow for a long-awaited Chatham Wal-Mart Supercenter, which sells groceries, has languished for months in the City Council Finance Committee, which Burke chairs. This is just the latest delay in a five-year battle by Ald. Howard Brookins to get a Wal-Mart at a former industrial site at 83rd and Stewart.

Burke, an unabashed union supporter, has said Wal-Mart is welcome in Chicago, so long as it hammers out a "living wage" compromise with union leaders.

In a perfect world, we'd like a living wage agreement, too.

Too bad that's not the world we live in.
What's your feel on this issue? Is it about time for an up or down vote on more Wal-Mart stores in Chicago? Isn't it about time for a Wal-Mart in the Chatham community?

BE HEARD!!!

1 comment:

  1. I have a lot of questions about this Walmart because I do not believe Alderman Brookins is being upfront with the community. His comments on Whole Foods cannot be verified and there is a question in my mind did he he really try to talk to Costco. He stated that they were not interested in expanding in Chicago but they have been approved to open a 3rd store on the Westside of Chicago.

    Secondly, he continues to stay quiet on the Legacy project(Soft Sheen plant) and the bridge over the Dan Ryan. I want him to stand up and tell everyone about the total package and then let them make an informed decision and what does he plan to do to help those African American businesses(Midway Wholesale and Reggios Pizza)that will be negatively affected. All businesses that pay a living wage. Let's invite him over here and answer.

    ReplyDelete

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