| Author | Message | ||
| Bill 340 (166.153.109.190)
Rating: N/A |
Well guys all the years we have been sticking up for Wal-Mart and going to bat and writing our congressmen, writing city hall in favor of Wal-Mart...Well I think we have finally been stabbed in the back. As of tonight, Monday, 10 pm, I pulled into Lakeland, Florida Wal-Mart and there was already a Prevost there with a note taped to his paint (actually put on with Wal-Mart smiley stickers...adding insult to injury). While standing there the security guard pulled up and handed me a letter telling us that no one is allowed to stay there in Wal-Mart's parking lot or to stay there for an extended period of time but they do want our money and please shop here. There is no county ordinance against it...this is supposedly in print Wal-Mart Policy. We politely did not buy our two weeks supply of groceries and moved on to another lot which was more than happy to see us. Now, we are not freeloaders, as we do have reservations in a nearby campground but it is full and we cannot get in until Wednesday morning. The following is EXACT wording from the letter handed to us by security and taped on the Prevost next to ours. We did not omit ANYTHING...IT IS EVERYTHING WORD FOR WORD. If this is Wal-Mart's new policy, then I think we should all be aware of it as Target and a lot of other big stores are more than willing to accept our business. SOOOOO...here goes...this is it WORD FOR WORD WAL-MART SUPERCENTER 1245 5800 US HWY 98 NORTH LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33809 DEAR CAMPER, TRAVELER, TRUCK DRIVERS, WE AT WAL-MART APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS AND ONGOING PATRONAGE. WE VALUE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. AT THIS TIME AND GOING FORWARD, WE CANNOT ALLOW OVERNIGHT PARKING OF YOUR VEHICLES ON OUR PARKING LOT. THIS ALSO INCLUDES EXTENDED PARKING AND FOR SALE VEHICLES. ONCE AGAIN, WE CANNOT ALLOW OVERNIGHT PARKING DUE TO ENFORCEMENT ISSUES OF WAL-MART POLICY. SINCERELY, GREG WELLMAKER WAL-MART SUPERCENTER 1245 STORE MANAGER VIOLATORS VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.55.51)
Rating: N/A |
Very well, if that is what they want. I have to admit, I have never been a big fan of theirs. I generally don't like their anti-union attitude and activism and I don't particularly like the brain-washing they do of their mostly gullible employees. I also don't like the fact that they have heavy-handed a lot of good local stores out of existence and I don't like their being the major importer of goods in this country while rah-rah-in round the flag and patriotism (Their "Buy USA" bs, which they have largely abandoned). Kingman, Az store is the same way, but that is a case of the city police enforcing it with a nod & wink from Wal-Mart. Many of their stores in the NE are also "anti-parking", mostly due to ordinance, but nevertheless, an ordinance they could have stopped had they wanted to, since they pretty much get their way wherever they locate. I am taking delight in current trends by larger cities to put a halt to their super-expansion. Locally, town of 75k, they dominate retail activity, and their prices reflect it in this particular store; noticeably higher here than other Wal-Marts within a 100 mi. radius where they have not yet managed to kill all the competition with their heavy-handed buy-off of local planners and politicians. I have stayed overnight on occasion, but I don't make a habit of it. I usually will go seek permission from a store asst. or manager unless there is already a few "campers" settled in. I never put out awnings, chairs, or anything else: I just park, shut it down, and yes, go drop a few dollars in their till. | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (67.136.101.195)
Rating: N/A |
The Kingman store was allowing overnight stays, in fact they were very lienient as some had the awnings out and chairs, but they were really rich transients. It all came to a head a couple of years ago, when two transients had an arguement in the back of a truck mounted camper and one shot the other and killed him. That was all the KOA and other local campgrounds needed to get the City to pass an ordinance making over night stays illegal. There are many trucks, trailers and RVs that still stay in the parking lot, but they are parked away from WalMart's area, up by Whataburger. Some park over by Albertsons, and others take liberties by parking lengthwise and so only have to put down 1 axle set of jacks but take up about 10 parking bays, always good for the neighborly approach!!! WalMart bought a new lot nearby to build their SuperStore and didn't get planning permission, due to objections from Smiths Supermarket and other traffic access concerns. This has got to go to a referendum which will be on the ballot in March, I think. Peter. (Kingman Area Resident). | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.212.241)
Rating: N/A |
See what I mean by heavy-handed? Get turned down for probably legitimate reasons and they get it put on a ballot. Watch the prices in their store drop about now and continue until the election. Tell me your chances of getting a bollot refurendum in the event you got turned down for a building permit? Very deep pockets here and they are particularly brazen about letting the world know it. | ||
| Frank Allen (64.12.113.166) Rating: N/A |
wal mart name should be changed to china mart, Frank Allen | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin) (63.138.84.5)
Rating: N/A |
Why would that be, Frank? Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (67.136.121.42)
Rating: N/A |
Jim, The real reason was that a couple of City councilmen of the Democratic Party objected to the plans and all the Republicans were in support. As the land bordered Smith's property, and they objected for various reasons, there had to be a near total majority of 6:1 minimum. As there was a 5:2, it has to go to the people. I don't see why Smith's should object, Safeway has just built a new store within a mile of their existing one and both are 1/2 mile from the proposed new Walmart, which is only a few hundred yards from the existing building, they don't seem worried. The Democrats quoted things like, being a non-union store as reason for refusing to support it. Not quite the correct reasoning for a Councilman who should be interested in the voters who put him there and not his personal view point. So the only thing WalMart are guilty of is being so stupid as to purchase the land without the correct planning permission on it. The above tale is a reduced story as more sillyness was produced by all sides at some time or another. Just another episode of Peyton Place....... LOL. Peter. | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.247) Rating: N/A |
Got this from the "OTHER" board, don't think the poster will mind its travel over here. cd When presented with this letter, corporate customer relations had the following response. I suggest you contact the store manager. It might be a local ordinance issue. It seems to me there were some stores in FL that had to stop allowing parking due to local ordinances brought on by local campground pressure. Not sure if Lakeland was one of them. ----- Thank you for your message. While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Wal-Mart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots, as we are able. Permission to park is decided by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store in order to insure accommodations. This information is also available in a special edition Rand McNally Road Atlas that states on the front cover,"Wal-Mart Directory Included". Thank you, Customer Relations | ||
| Randall Hays (69.4.195.107)
Rating: N/A |
Hello Folks, Since most people have cell phones maybe you would like to have the Walmart Headquarters telephone Number 479-273-4000. Nothing like a call to the main office to question why a local store manager is causing problems. Maybe if they get enough calls they will make all of the stores available. | ||
| Nick Russell (66.82.9.25)
Rating: N/A |
I'll probably get flamed for this, but what the heck.... We are fulltimers and stay in a lot of WalMarts in the course of a year. So when we occassionally run into one that does not allow overnight parking (very rarely, and then usually only because local laws prohibit it) we don't get all ticked off and write letters and raise a fuss. Instead we appreciate the many times we ARE allowed to stay. Remember, WalMart is not a campground, it is a retail business that extends us the courtesy of allowing us to park overnight in the great majority of their stores. But it IS their property, and who the heck are we to complain because an individual store manager says no for whatever reason? Would you complain if your next door neighbor objected to you parking your bus in his yard too? Nick Russell www.gypsyjournal.net | ||
| Jimmci9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
i agree..... ive spent a couple nights in wal-mart parking... also in loves' truck stops.. rip griffins.... most of the time i was late getting in... and i shopped there the next morning before i left... gas..breakfast...i always asked... never was refused...and i'll still shop there... | ||
| Luke Bonagura (Lukeatuscoach) (12.75.173.62)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Folks: This Wal Mart thread & some of the replies is kind of interesting. There is no doubt that when Wal Mart or Home Depot come to town, then many small business owners are hurt & many shut down. At this particular time in the USA we are preparing for an election in November and not being a politcal person "that will vote"!!, I can't wait until it is over!!! In every election cycle, the president of the USA is all of a sudden responsible for everything that happens including private or publicly owned manufacturers moving many jobs out of the country??? Now why is Wal Mart the largest retail company in the USA. Because they supply mechandise at a PRICE that Americans are willing to pay, with no regard to where it was manufactured!!!!! The consumer quite frankly could care less whether they are supporting American workers or a sweat shop in a far off land. And that includes the wives of American Union workers, who have a budget at home!!!! As a business owner, the original post just gets to me, as the writer (and I am not flaming you), is angry because he could not conveniently get "Something For Nothing"!!!!! Well, perhaps Wal Mart,(and by the way they are owned by the PUBLIC, and any of us can buy their stock), with their deep pockets, might get the idea to build "Giant RV Parks", with super-low rates. Put the little parks out of business, omit parking in their store lots, then raise their prices in order to make a profit!!! Just a thought, but that is how this economy works!!! It isn't controlled by the White House, it is controlled by our wallets!!! Thanks for listening!! and most importantly, Happy & Safe Bussin' to ALL!!! LUKE at US COACH | ||
| Connel (65.212.238.242) Rating: N/A |
As usual - well said Luke! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.135)
Rating: N/A |
Spot on, Luke....and Thanx. Good Post!  RCB '64 Crown Supercoach (HWC) | ||
| Bandco (64.228.239.95) Rating: N/A |
Luke, Pleasingly Said * In this same Union Tread, If I may add my 2 cents: Union Workers, are they Anti-Union? I guess Most Union Workers don't care less. Union Made Goods or Not and when it comes down to their Personal Car(s), Look at all the imports parked at Union Shops! (Most are Non Union Car Manufactured) So Why Aren't Union People Helping The Economy by Buying American Union Made Cars? Humm! P.S. If I'm not mistaking, Wall Mart is the largest retail Company in the World and the 2nd Largest Company in the World. - So I guess they must be doing something right! | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.42.76)
Rating: N/A |
Sorry Luke, but I have to respectfully disagree with your opinion that the White House is not responsible for the economy in this country, and for that matter, just about every other aspect of life in this country. It happens to be the Center Point of direction in this country, and is 1 of the 3 bodies of the government, who collectively, are responsible for and give total direction to, the Country. Just how much control do you think an empty wallet can exercise? I really have no dog in this race over Wal-Mart; I personally don't like them but they certainly can do as they please in this matter of parking overnight. | ||
| Frank Allen (152.163.252.163) Rating: N/A |
Ian, to answer your question most everything in walmart is out of china. Frank Allen | ||
| NO_UNION (68.243.65.20) Rating: N/A |
Union shop support.. I lost major union contract a few years back in Tennessee. I drove a Nissan that was made in Tennessee. The company rep drove a chevy made in Mexico/Canada... I put a worker to work in Tn He put workers to work in NON UNION shops in other countries.. Hell with UNION. Now with Walmart if you are not Happy with their policy of no parking, dont shop there. If you are not happy about unions DONT SUPPORT THEM.. Dont like the President VOTE DIFFERENTLY.. Dont like my post... READ the Constitution. Bottom line Acceptance of the | ||
| FAST FRED (65.154.177.81) Rating: N/A |
The biggest problem with unions, ( and yes I was ALPA and my dad was Plumber) is the growth of non competative unions for state and city "workers". Greedy unions can put companies out of business as was done to many many NY newspapers by the Linotype operators , but there is no stopping the greed or incompetance of a union gov worker. AS the town or district cant "fail"& get out of business. In Chicago over 60% of the high skool "teachers" can't pass an 8th grade exam for math or english, yet remain employed. The white house sets the tone on taxation , but the congeress does the law writing, and spending. Since no democracy has ever taxed or spent itself rich , and EVERY tax cut since JFK has helped both the economy AND gov coffers , we can only wait . With 131 million Americans working (and 15 Milloin Illegals) the demand for cheap chinese crapola will continue , after all almost 2 million new houses were started in Jan , and all will need to be filled with STUFF. I detest Wallmart for there current tactics. If land isnt cheap enough where they want to locate , wallmart goes to the local greedy town council and points out what a taxation "windfall" there presence is. They then demand the town confiscate any land they desire and sell it to them at tax value.. Not quite what the laws on public land confiscation were designed for, but its "there way" of staying competative. UGH! FAST FRED | ||
| KGB (24.16.189.48) Rating: N/A |
THIS IS GOVERNMENT CENSOR WRITING... PREVIOUS POSTER NOT AUTHORIZED TO COMMUNICATE OPINION... REMEMBER YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE RIGHT TO SPEAK OPINION AS LONG AS IT IS IN LINE WITH PARTY POLICY... | ||
| Phil Dumpster (24.16.189.48) Rating: N/A |
Damn, Fred, couldn't you have waited five minutes? Oh well... (Editor's Note: Phil, presuming that because you and "KGB", above, have the same IP address, I presume it was your hand that typed the comment. Can I respectfully ask why you posted that particular message? Ian.) | ||
| David & Lorna Schinske (Davidschinske) (67.216.108.141)
Rating: N/A |
Based on posts gleanned from various Bus & RV boards, it costs about $50 to $150 to spend the night at Wal-Mart. That is far from "Free". Now of course, you don't HAVE to spend that much money shopping but many do. The thing is Wal-Mart (and others like them) are providing a service that campgrounds (particularly those along interstates) are reluctant to provide. It is not "Free" camping but easy-in/out overnight parking. Lorna | ||
| Frank Allen (152.163.252.163) Rating: N/A |
Fred, you dont like unions?? what abou ceos?? Frank Allen | ||
| mel 4104 (208.181.100.34) Rating: N/A |
it is no wonder that some people do not use their name because if they did the local law would picp them up on drug charges. just were in Canada do they make cars, trucks, buses in non uions plants? you nevere hear the union heads of iternational unions complain about all the money that they get from Canada unions. so learn about Canada and the people before you bad mouth them and get your facts straight not bar hear say. yes i am a Canadian and proud of it. | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.209.121)
Rating: N/A |
Mel: Have to agree w/u; cars built in Canada are built in union plants. Last time I heard a statistic on it, Canada had a higher percentage of union workers than the US (not that big of a deal since we don't seem to have as many workers as we once did)! FF however makes a very valid point, the govt. employee unions, the only growing unions in the US. Fortunately, most of their members are so ambivelant that they don't vote in our elections! | ||
| NO_UNION (68.243.105.12) Rating: N/A |
The point regardless of it being union or not is Your american money put a worker from another country to work,.... NOT A USA worker. Could care less if it is a Canadain union or not... | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.212.228)
Rating: N/A |
Non-Union: Obviously, you don't know a lot about unions, they are International, at least the better ones are. Sorry you don't enjoy the benefits of a good union; perhaps your favorite CEO will look after your interest as he out-sources your job to New Delhi! Pls. take note that they don't outsource to Canada and increasingly don't outsource to Mexico, solely because Canada is strong union and even Mexico labor is starting to organize under International Unions. Say what u may about unions, but my standard of living is a result of my union affiliation, not my affiliation with my former employer who was forced to concede to union demands if he wanted to stay in business. He found it rather difficult to get someone from New Delhi to come fix the broken condenser water pump of his power plant or cool his building down to 72 degrees on a hot summer's day. I and my union merely played the hand available. Retired Combination Fitter, UA Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 250, Gardenia, CA, AFL-CIO---and damn proud of it. | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (67.136.121.42)
Rating: N/A |
Ah yes Unions, the original principle of them was good, however they soon turned into a band of people FORCING a guy to bow to the power of independantly paid men/women who don't even work for his company. I can speak about English Unions from personal experience as well as what was common knowledge. Flying Pickets, a bunch of professional rowdys who don't even work the same job, forcing workers to stay out of work with strong arm tactics because of some dispute in a far off unrelated company. Strikes that caused the Ford workers in England, to drive nearly all their jobs to Germany because the Union thought they could take on Ford over some stupid arguement. You should have heard to screams when they closed the coal mines in England and the towns and villages died due to the fact the pit was the only major employer, the other jobs relied upon people having money to spent such as shops and pubs. More screams when the independant company owner shut his gates one weekend and never re-opened them again when the Union went on strike for more money than he could pay them. He wanted to update the company, but could not afford to, so he closed and sold out. He had enough from the sale and the thousands of workers went hungry. Dammit, it was his company, and he could shut it if he wanted. I would have done the same. So don't tell me about Unions, they are not for the benefit of the company AND worker, they want it all their way and consider the owners as their mortal enemies. The Union officials are paid by the guys that they put out of work. Yes, they did have great successes with bad conditions, but that sort of thing should be dealt with on local levels. My wife worked for Kodak and they had their own Union, along comes one of these big Unions and forces them legally to join with them. It all went downhill from there, strikes and other crap. Most employers never went to the Union meetings as they either didn't want to know or hadn't the time and so a few militants kept passing whatever votes were proposed. Yes, I know they should have gone, but they didn't want that sort of life style, it was forced on them. When my buddy a truck driver in the Eastern USA, tells me the stories of opening the back of his truck and backing onto the bay only to find that the crew has stolen a dozen or so boxes. He told them to reload it all as he wouldn't deliver a partial. Funny how quick those boxes were found, but he needed an armed escort off the company lot and was never allowed back for his own safety as he had challenged the system. He sat all morning in a line awaiting being unloaded and found he was meant to drop the team leader money to get called to unload. This money was to come out of his pocket, not his companies!!! Unions have become too powerful and too political and have lost their original purpose. You can keep your Unions, my 2 cents. Peter. | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin) (63.138.84.5)
Rating: N/A |
Frank, Not so at WalMart in Canada. You had me confused. Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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Fran, I think you need to spend some time in Target and K-Mart and some of the other large merchandisers before condemming WalMart. Richard | ||
| Doug Dickinson (Dougd470) (65.161.188.11)
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There is a saying in management that "a manager that gets a union - deserves a union". If greed were taken out of the formula, I doubt that unions would have much to fall back on. The only things they have to "sell" to their members any more are job protection" which is rapidly going away, and safety. They are dinosaurs that are striving for extinction. They had a purpose one time, but I have seen them sell out their members too many times recently to believe they are any different from the companies they battle. Doug St Louis MC9 | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (198.81.26.45)
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Truthfully, being a Teamster, such as I am, I should take offense at the attack on unions. A few years ago I WOULD have taken offense, back then I had a strong belief that though unions had problems the overall effect was a positive one for the work force. Then I was a shop steward who went to meetings and counselled fellow employees... A couple of years ago I resigned as shop steward and lately, I have seriously contemplaited quitting the union altogether. Sad to say, I don't take offense with Peter and Doug because, the truth is I tend to agree with them. Brian | ||
| Ron in SD (12.111.217.5)
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Something I learned with last week is the 10% of the exports from China go directly to WalMart. "Buy USA......." | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin) (63.138.84.5)
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Sorry, Ron, your exchange rate's still a little high :-) Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Jimmci9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
next thing we know, someone will complain about "harbor freight" ....i just bought a handsaw... $2.99.... made in china....why?? because i wanted a cheap one to do demolition work with...throw it away when i break all the teeth off....moral of the story.... YOU HAVE A CHOICE... if you want to buy from walmart, do so...if you dont, thats your choice....don't slander them on Ians' bb....go picket their parking lot... go buy halliburton stock....did you know its $31 a share???? make yourself useful.... go volunteer in a half-way house...but quit the pi$$$ing and moaning about a few free parking lots... | ||
| Johnny (63.159.212.227) Rating: N/A |
I'll blow my brains out before I join a union. They are the Mafia with better PR people...no more and no less. | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.57.160)
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Wadda u mean, we da Mafia? Just cause we taught em what day know doesn't make us dem. And we don need no PR people...we got more fective ways. Don be talkin no "blowin brains" stuff, makes us squimish (or is that excited)? | ||
| Phil Dumpster (24.16.189.48) Rating: N/A |
Ian, scroll back a bit, NO UNION's message was cut off at mid sentence. Note the subject of the message at that point. Would have been a nice piece of humor had Fred not spoiled it.  Oh well, no way he could have know what I was typing. Now, back on topic... Personally, I find the Wal Mart phenomenon quite amusing. An example of capitalism running free, something most people value as being a true American ideal. Yet, people bash them left and right as being some giant faceless entity all the while shopping at the place and taking advantage of those "low" prices. Wal Mart wouldn't be building such massive stores in vast numbers if people weren't shopping at them. People shop there because of the low prices and the selection. The prices wouldn't be that low if all of the junk in the store was made in America. What's even more amusing is the never-ending desire of some people to control the lives of others, either through force or pursuasion. | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.195.205) Rating: N/A |
Poor Phil, forever tilting at windmills. Brian | ||
| John Rigby (65.112.227.94)
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Were would a lot of our seniors find work to help them in there later years if it wasnt for Walmart. One of my bus nut friends works at Walmart from april to october, then they let him off on a leave of absence to go down to Florida till feb then back up north and back to work at Walmart. | ||
| Bandco (64.228.239.137) Rating: N/A |
When Union People Are On Strike, - Who is in Charge? This week, Family Members had planned *A Funeral Service at their Church and the Burial of their Grandmother. Under the eye of Police Officers, 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony, On-Strike Union Workers of a large Burial Company, where Picketing and Were Rather Noisy in front of the Church and Were Handing-out Pamphlets and Other Literature to the Family Members, Relatives and Friends. *These Family Members had No Connection, Nor Business, what so ever With This Conflict, the Union Workers Nor their Employers. The Union Members Picked-Up their Stuff and Left But Only When Everyone from the Service had Left. – (And the Media did the same, picked-up and left) » UNIONS in a Democratic Word! *Here's My 2 cents: This kind of Non-Respect for The Grand-Mother Family and Friends are totally out of line! Even if it's an 'Odd Case,' What's up next! -- Where will-it All END? Maybe one of these days, we will read about People Shooting (Or Similar) Union People involved in these Types of Ridiculous Manifestations, Spreading Nuisance & Frustration! | ||
| john wood (209.137.231.98)
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Before Sam Walton died, the Walmart stores were saying in their ads that they bought American as much as possible.Even had 'ol glory in the ads. Things have shore changed! | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
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John, do you know if that is not still the policy? Pretty hard to get "Made in the USA" items anymore. Especially small mass produced items. Richard | ||
| Frank Allen (205.188.209.8) Rating: N/A |
guess i left a wrong impression , i dont blame wal mart, they do what they do to stay in business, same with harbour freight and target and many others, it is a shame in my veiw that our system allows companies to go to china and other countries that are known for there abuse of there people, set up a factory and work these people to death then sell it ove here for american dollars. It is un fair to our workers both union and non union. This allows our big money people to really get rich at our expense. if not put in check soon we will self destuct, and i have no doughbts about that. Frank Allen | ||
| TWO DOGS (67.251.50.46) Rating: N/A |
personaly...I like onions | ||
| Greg Meiling (198.81.26.45)
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Where's the unions when the illegals are taking the US worker's jobs? With the unions having such a large voice with our elected official you would think the unions would be the first to demand that something be done about this epidemic problem. | ||
| FAST FRED (63.234.22.103) Rating: N/A |
Unions are DEAD , except in the "Public Sector" where stoopid politicos will give in to any demands , Its not there money. Look at the Left Coast and all the debts paying for the endless union demands. If you want a union Wallmart experience either throw doubble the purchase price up in the air on leaving. Or talk to anyone in city hall for an example of union style "customer Service". Union family for 3 generations , Never Again! FAST FRED |