David Biernbaum

Cameras Roll for Walmart 'Worker' Protests

November 26, 2012

FROM RETAILWIRE:
While the lead retail story on the evening news this past weekend was far and away Black Friday mania, the secondary one in many markets dealt with the union-led protests at several dozen to hundreds of Walmart's across the country. How would you characterize the state of employer/employee relationship across the retail industry today?      [more...]

Walmart has a long standing business model allowing for everyday low pricing. Any significant change in how employees are compensated might likely be a game-changer.

Overall, retail employees, probably Walmart included, all would like to earn higher salaries and wages, and also be provided better benefits. And who could blame them? It's almost impossible to raise a family on a retail salary while having also to pay so much out of pocket for health insurance.

But ironically, due largely in part to Walmart, retailers will have a very difficult time staying in business and making a profit, if retail employees are compensated more than they are at present. As a result, there will be some unhappiness. I do think retailers can do a much better job in creating an atmosphere where employees feel better about their jobs, and their employers.