Report Hits Wal-Mart as Rights Abuser

Wal-Mart is afraid of us. The biggest corporation in the world will do anything it can to stop its workers from joining a Union.

A new report released by Human Rights Watch outlines the systematic denial of Wal-Mart workers’ right to organize themselves.

Human Rights Watch typically exposes systematic oppressive conduct by regimes in Third World countries. By preparing this report, the  organization recognizes that a giant corporation also can be guilty of human rights violations.

The report confirms what Wal-Mart’s workers have been saying for years: that managers create a climate of intimidation in which employees fear they will be fired or disciplined if they express any support for Unionizing their workplace.

Wal-Mart routinely spies on Union organizers and suspected pro-Union employees. The chain engages in “unit packing” and uses other tactics to headoff organizing efforts. When workers have organized successfully, Wal-Mart refuses to bargain with them and has even shut down stores rather than recognize a Union. Wal-Mart’s methodical violations of workers’ rights constitute a dismal record that also includes a significant number of wage-and-hour and workplace safety violations.

In addition, the company faces the largest gender discrimination lawsuit in the history of the country.

Wal-Mart cut health care coverage for its employees even while touting its alleged commitment to affordable care. Evidence suggests that the company may have adopted a strategy of eliminating long-time workers and discouraging overweight or otherwise unhealthy workers from applying — both as measures to reduce payroll and health care costs.

The company’s spin doctors attacked Human Rights Watch as “pro-Union,” as if affirming an internationally recognized right to join Unions was a bad thing.

Yet a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch said that the organization gets only $50 of its $33-million budget from labor Unions.   Wal-Mart’s public relations machine has been working to change its image. But being a responsible employer means more than smearing one’s critics and sending out slick press releases. 

It requires acceptable corporate practices. That includes respecting employees’ rights to organize.

So far, Wal-Mart has gotten away with its crimes with the cooperation of an administration in Washington that shares its hatred for Unions. Americans can help restore respect for human rights by demanding passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which has passed the United States House of Representatives and is being considered by the Senate.