perfidy

I've blogged before about what scumbags Wal-Mart can be, but these allegations, if true, take the cake.

Remember the illegal immigrants that Wal-Mart was subcontracting to clean its stores? Well, it seems that Wal-Mart was locking them in the building until the end of their shift.

Wal-Mart of course says both that the allegations are "absolutely incorrect" but also "that doors were kept locked, but insisted that a manager with a key was always present." Someone should notify Wal-Mart that issuing two contradictory statements is commonly known as 'lying ineptly'.

The article linked above also clarifies the details of the lawsuit brought by the illegal immigrants back in November: "the original suit claimed some workers were forced to work seven-day, 70-hour weeks, for $1,500 a month." Although back in November I wondered how illegal immigrants could possibly sue anyone, now I say more power to 'em. Their suit still doesn't have much merit, the plaintiffs being illegal aliens and all, but 70 hours for $300 and change is tantamount to wage slavery-- strike that-- wage pecuiliar institution-ry.

I mean, Christ. Locked doors and corporate hijinks... shades of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. This kind of insanity is exactly what the American labor movement was founded to combat-- too bad they're too busy off defending entitlements and whacking opponents to notice that they're losing ground where it matters.

I'm not kidding-- Wal-Mart employees need to unionize now, or the local management will keep taking advantage of the economically marginal status of many workers. I mean, I'm no true-blue (Red?) Marxist by a loooong shot, but this crap went out of style with handlebar mustaches, giant-wheel bicycles, and buggy whips.

[wik] Ezra at Pandagon asks, "Is Wal-Mart Good For Us?" exploring the ins and outs of wage arbitrage and the actual effects of Wal-Mart's pricing strategies on its suppliers and customers. Since this is weblogs and not movies, I'll give away the ending: not good.