Labor Groups Stage National Events To Protest Wal-Mart Health Benefits

Protesters in 35 cities nationwide demonstrated against Wal-Mart Stores on Wednesday as part of a national campaign to pressure the retailer to offer better employee health insurance, the Houston Chronicle reports (Sixel, Houston Chronicle, 4/26). The protests were organized by the seven-union Change to Win labor federation and WakeUpWalMart.com (Kabel, AP/Austin American-Statesman, 4/27). Miles Anderson, a protest organizer with the United Food and Commercial Workers local 455 union and Houston coordinator of WakeUpWalMart.com, said the protestors chose to focus on Wal-Mart to draw attention to the nation's health crisis. He said that only 43% of the 1.4 million Wal-Mart employees have health insurance. At a typical company with 200 or more employees, 68% of workers would have health insurance. Chris Kofinis, communications director for WakeUpWalMart.com, said that while Wal-Mart does allow its employees to buy insurance after one year working there, it is still too expensive for employees who earn $7 an hour. He added that the effort is not a drive at Wal-Mart, but a campaign to pressure companies to offer better health benefits. He said, "Our effort is to build the largest grass roots in America, so the company can't ignore the political pressure" (Houston Chronicle, 4/26). Carole Florman, a spokesperson for Change to Win, said, "You can't really talk about these issues without talking about Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart drags everybody down, but they are not the only bad actor out there" (AP/Austin American-Statesman, 4/27).

Wal-Mart Response
A statement from Wal-Mart said, "America's working families are struggling to deal with the soaring cost of health care. At Wal-Mart, we're offering solutions. Sadly, these rallies are more about politics and publicity stunts than health care" (Houston Chronicle, 4/26). Michael Millis, spokesperson for Wal-Mart, said, "What we need are real solutions to the health care challenges facing this country." He added, "We're offering solutions. We're expanding the availability of our $11-per-month health plan to half of our work force by the first of the year. We're offering $3 copays on prescription drugs that treat common conditions like high blood pressure. Every child of a Wal-Mart associate will be eligible for our health plans as soon as the parent is eligible. And, after one year of enrollment, there is no lifetime maximum on benefits" (Van Dussen, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 4/27). Wal-Mart spokesperson Dan Fogleman added, "We are an economic engine. Wal-Mart is good for the communities we serve," adding, "Working families across America are struggling with the rising cost of health care. Wal-Mart is providing solutions" (AP/Austin American-Statesman, 4/27).