RWDSU President Slams Wal-Mart Hypocrisy (6/27/08)

The president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union today blasted the announcement by Wal-Mart that it would notify its employees about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and challenged the giant retailer to take similar steps to notify workers of their legal right to organize for union representation.

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum, whose union has led efforts to prevent Wal-Mart from opening in New York City, said that "rather than encourage employees to sign up for a tax credit for low income workers, Wal-Mart ought to respect the right of workers to a union contract and middle-class wages."

"If hypocrisy was an Olympic sport Wal-Mart would hold the record for gold medals," Appelbaum said, adding that the company, whose revenues now top $300 billion, has "ruthlessly fought every effort by workers to organize."

Pointing out that Wal-Mart officials said they would inform workers about the EITC through its internal Web site, messages on pay stubs, and notices in store break rooms, Appelbaum said the retail giant should use the same means to inform its employees of their legal right to organize for union representation.

"Since none of Wal-Mart's executives seem to understand that workers actually have the legal right to organize I'm more than happy to send them a copy of the law," Appelbaum said.