Brian Pickrell, a blogger, recently posted a note on his Web site attacking state legislation that would force Wal- Mart Stores to spend more on employee health insurance. “All across the country, newspaper editorial boards – no great friends of business – are ripping the bills,” he wrote.
It was the kind of pro-Wal-Mart comment the giant retailer might write itself. And, in fact, it had.
Under assault as never before, Wal- Mart is increasingly looking beyond the mainstream media and working directly with bloggers, feeding them exclusive nuggets of news, suggesting topics for postings and even inviting them to visit its corporate headquarters.
But the strategy raises questions about what bloggers, who pride themselves on independence, should disclose to readers. Wal-Mart, the largest private employer in the United States, has been forthright with bloggers about the origins of its communications, and the company and its public relations firm, Edelman, say they do not compensate the bloggers. But some bloggers have posted information from Wal- Mart, at times word for word, without revealing where it came from.
Uh-huh.
Only about 15 people read my blog. So I guess I can’t quit my day job and shuck for Wally World……..
Did you hear?One per cent of all Wal-mart sales is donated to the church of scientology.Lets show those bastards we can all play this game!
Screw Wal-MArt…. they are or HAVE destroyed what used to be nice communities only to screw their employees out of fair wages, and benefits. Go check out this url… buy and watch this video for a better understanding of how ratty and evil WalMart is… I have not been into nor shopped there in over 8 months and going.. and plan to never set foot in there again.
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/
Screw Wal-MArt…. they are or HAVE destroyed what used to be nice communities only to screw their employees out of fair wages, and benefits. Go check out this url… buy and watch this video for a better understanding of how ratty and evil WalMart is… I have not been into nor shopped there in over 8 months and going.. and plan to never set foot in there again.
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/
bah – you would think that the world’s largest retailer would have enough resources to pay for ALL health benefits for ALL of its employees (the illegal aliens as well as the normal employees).
this is just ri-damn-diculous.
“Wal- Mart is increasingly looking beyond the mainstream media and working directly with bloggers, feeding them exclusive nuggets of news,”
oddly enough, the only place I’ve read about this has been on people’s blogs.
So seems like its working before they even start – if you think that any publicity is good publicity.
Well, let’s see Jack?
Whoops! Clicking on the link in this post takes me to the International Herald Tribune — which is part of NY Times, etc.. Sure looks like MSM to me.
Why should the state require Walmart or any other company what health benefits they should have for their employees? Health insurance is a Benefit it is not a minimum wage. If you don’t like it go somewhere else for work.
I remember when I was able to select if I wanted maternity coverage when I was single. It was an extra $125 per month. Since I was single and unable to give birth I opted out. My insurance cost me about $25 per month (1988) while the company picked up the rest. When the state mandated that everyone have maternity coverage in their health benefits my insurance went up to over $150 (my cost). The company wasn’t going to pay for it. They already had given us the choice so thanks to the state it was passed on to me. Then the state added more and more mandates to where the company couldn’t afford to cover it and before you know it I was paying $225 per month before I left the company.
The company wasn’t going to pay for it. They already had given us the choice so thanks to the state it was passed on to me. Then the state added more and more mandates to where the company couldn’t afford to cover it and before you know it I was paying $225 per month before I left the company.
In Reno, WalMart is opening a new distribution center and paying “competative” wages.
http://tinyurl.com/qdbj3
Hey-I just stumbled upon your blog late last night while I was Googling a biography on a rather obscure person in business. I don’t know how I got there but I am glad I did. I stayed up wau too late for an old person!!!! And couldn’t wait to get back this morning. I love your sense of the absurd.
BTW, it is the first blog I have ever been too.
Thanks
The more you tighten your grip, Walton, the more star systems will slip through your fingers!
Down with Wally World!
No Wal-Marts in Manhattan, so I don’t have any personal experience about them. But, I have a nephew who went to Radio Shack for a job. They offer two options: minimum wage with no commission or 5% commission and no wage. What a joke. A cruel one.
employer’s are NOT required to offer any health benefit. Once almost all did, but the costs have forced many to cut back drastically or eliminate it altogether. Only the goverment can still offer 56 different plans to it’s employees at a reasonable amount.
If everyone demanded that goverment offer to ALL of us what they get and at their prices, then we could all afford health care.
And as to the thread of this post….lol…..what makes what Wal-Mart is doing any different than any group, liberal, conservative, business, or religion, they ALL have their pro and con blogs now.
And welcome to Eliza….to the world of blog.