New Yorkers Want but Still Denied Wal-Mart

Liz | 07/29 at 07:36 AM

Times are tough, and everyone wants to stretch his dollars. Which is why ongoing union opposition to Wal-Mart operating in New York City is so preposterous. A new poll out shows 63% of NYC voters want Wal-Mart in the city; only 36% do not. Ironically, 62% of union households would like to see a Wal-Mart open nearby. One quarter of those surveyed said they already shop at a suburban Wal-Mart. The giant retailer has in recent years overcome a sustained and vicious assault from labor groups who have argued that the company does not pay enough and does not provide adequate healthcare benefits. (This, even though every time the company advertised job openings the store was practically overrun with applicants.) This attack was led by Andy Stern, who as leader of the SEIU broke off from the AFL-CIO and who therefore had to prove his chops through a major organizing win. Thankfully, he never succeeded. Wal-Mart, which had prior to the well-financed campaign against them consistently won awards as one of our most-admired companies, was initially flummoxed; gradually the company regained its balance and undertook a massive “green” initiative which helped win over Americans. They also responded to criticism by improving worker conditions. Then, they got lucky; the recession came along just in time to remind Americans just how much they depend on Wal-Mart’s low prices. 

It seems there are many instances where American voters are not getting their way. We want Obamacare repealed, we want government spending cut, we want term limits on members of Congress. OK- these are tough demands. Giving Wal-Mart entrée to New York is an easy one. Oh- except that Andy Stern was the most frequent guest at the White House during President Obama’s first year in office. That might make the decision just a tad tougher.

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