Wal-Mart Raises Hourly Wage to $11 in Wake of Tax Overhaul

[Cow Poke]

At least in Anchorage, the CostCos are regularly busy, whereas the Sam's Club was always pretty empty - at least last time I was in there. It's been a few years.

I've often wondered about the Sam's vs Costco ---- we had one of each, and the longer they were there, the more they began to look just like each other as far as layout, products, how things worked.....

[Cow Poke]

That's just really really dumb. Most companies know they need good people to be productive - and they have the right to choose those who will do the best job. It's the "everybody gets a trophy" mentality that trips up a lot of people.

[Cow Poke]

Big corporations (not you) will place jobs where their labour costs are minimised.

And CERTAINLY not you, thank the Good Lord!

If it helps to maximise profits they will automate jobs out of existence.

Because they exist to earn money.

So put on your army fatigues, grab a cigar, and take over the world!

[firstfloor]

Who will be running these e-commerce facilities? They will still be requiring employees will they not? So what is your concern?

Insecure, low paid employment.

[Cow Poke]

Insecure, low paid employment.

I absolutely love your optimism!

[firstfloor]

I absolutely love your optimism!

[Starlight]

I think overall, yes, cooperatives as a business structure are the way of the future. I am seeing more cooperatives here. I am also seeing internationally more talk about political policies to support cooperatives.

They just make more sense. In our democratic societies, it is strange to have businesses that operate in top-down feudalistic hierarchies rather than as democracies where everyone has input. I think one day people will look back on current corporate hierarchies and roll their eyes much like we do to medieval feudalism.

[KingsGambit]

I'm curious what % of net pay for hourly Walmart associates ends up being spent back at Walmart.

[Cow Poke]

I'm curious what % of net pay for hourly Walmart associates ends up being spent back at Walmart.

The couple of Walmart employees I have in my church are pretty Walmart-loyal, and they get decent discounts, so... maybe a lot.

[Cow Poke]

Only 38% of Americans work for the big corporations - 53% work for small businesses.

[Jedidiah]

I think overall, yes, cooperatives as a business structure are the way of the future. I am seeing more cooperatives here. I am also seeing internationally more talk about political policies to support cooperatives.

They just make more sense. In our democratic societies, it is strange to have businesses that operate in top-down feudalistic hierarchies rather than as democracies where everyone has input. I think one day people will look back on current corporate hierarchies and roll their eyes much like we do to medieval feudalism.

Then the workers will either have to buy out the current owners or start their own competing businesses. In the US when you own a business, that means you own it and have authority to run it as you see fit. If you go out of business too bad for you and your employees.

[rogue06]

Capitalism is the worst economic system there is -- aside from all the other ones.

With some notable exceptions companies that are owned by the employees don't fare well since the employees tend to keep giving themselves big raises, bonuses and benefits to the point that the business cannot sustain itself.

[rogue06]

The rust belt had two serious problems. The first is it consists of states that have fairly high tax rates and lots of government regulations. The second is that union labor priced themselves out of competition. While anybody would prefer a job paying $20/hr over one that pays only $15/hr the first one is no good if the company is forced to close their doors and move operations over seas.

[Starlight]

With some notable exceptions companies that are owned by the employees don't fare well since the employees tend to keep giving themselves big raises, bonuses and benefits to the point that the business cannot sustain itself.

Pants on fire false. Studies have consistently found that cooperatives last a lot longer on average than non-cooperatives.

[CMD]

I have no problem with closing stores by itself. What is inexcusable to me is doing so with little to no notice.

People showing up to work to find a "Closed" sign is just ridiculous.