The city of Chicago is considering a new living wage law for big box stores. Walomart so made they are threatening not to open Chicago stores
“In Chicago, New Pay Law Is Considered for Big Stores
By GRETCHEN RUETHLING
Published: May 28, 2006
CHICAGO, May 27 — Chicago may become the first city in the nation to require “big box” retailers like Wal-Mart or Home Depot to pay employees a “living wage” of at least $10 an hour plus $3 an hour in benefits….”
(more below fold)
“…So far, 33 of 50 City Council members have signed on to the proposed ordinance — more than enough to pass it, perhaps as soon as next month.
The bill would affect only stores that have at least 75,000 square feet and are operated by companies with at least $1 billion in annual sales, allowing smaller retailers to continue with the state minimum wage of $6.50 an hour….”
“…Chicago could be home to as many as 20 new Wal-Mart stores over the next five years, but only if the City Council does not establish wage and benefit standards for “big box” retailers, a company official said Monday.
Even before the planned September opening of its Austin store, Wal-Mart is meeting with aldermen and scouting locations for additional Chicago stores while pursuing the urban strategy outlined by its CEO in April, according to John Bisio, Wal-Mart’s Midwest director of public affairs….”
link
I would never wish Wal-Mart on anyone. It’s a store of horror stories for employees: very low wages and benefits, irrational policies, managers with zero people skills and training.
News about the country’s largest employer is important. Thanks for the diary.
People 1, Corps 0
Hooray for whoever’s promoting this.