VERNON — Things we demanded and have received as workers in this great country:
• Freedom to follow our dreams.
• Maximum allowed working hours per day.
• Maximum allowed working hours per week.
• Workers' Compensation laws.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Vacation pay.
• Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (osha).
• Minimum wage guarantees.
• Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Job safety.
• Equal Opportunity Employment, no discrimination in hiring practices.
• Disability protection.
• Unemployment insurance.
• Social Security.
• Time and a half pay for overtime.
• Company discounts offered by employers.
• Pension plans and/or guaranteed pensions.
• Stock options.
• Paid sick leave.
• Personal days.
• Tenure.
• Union representation.
• Arbitration.
• Protection of children in the workplace.
Every time we shop at Wal-Mart, we show our unwillingness to provide others these same basic human necessities. We promote, by shopping at Wal-Mart, low-paying sweatshop labor in China and Third World countries, and thus the displacement of hard-working, deserving American citizens. These workers are you. With each trip to Wal-Mart, you are shopping yourself out of a job. Trickle-down trickled overseas.
As workers, we want the highest pay and greatest benefits. As shoppers, we want the lowest price (and quality?). How can we have both? We cannot.
Do you want the benefits of being an American worker? Sure you do, so align your shopping habits accordingly. Support those companies that support us. We cannot take from both ends of the system and survive.
Who is going to pay for all this? No one will be left. Please - will the last job holder, when he leaves, turn out the lights?