Wal-Mart – Just the Facts

Just the facts…

  • Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the world and the richest company in the world.
  • 5000 stores worldwide in 10 countries.
  • 256 stores across Canada employing over 60,000 employees.
  • 5 of the richest 13 people in the world are members of the Walton family.
  • 28 hours a week is considered fulltime work at Wal-Mart.
  • Wal-Mart’s highest paid executive earns more money in one day than a Wal-Mart cashier earns in 4 years.
  • 2/3 of Wal-Mart’s workers cannot participate in its health insurance plan because of its high cost and huge deductibles.
  • Wal-Mart employees in the U.S. had to sue to collect the overtime pay that they had earned.
  • Wal-Mart’s female employees, in every job category, have been paid less than their male counterparts each year since 1997. The biggest class-action lawsuit (1.5 million women) in U.S. history is underway against Wal-Mart for this systemic discrimination against women.
  • Wal-Mart has been cited more than 40 times by the National Labour Relations Board for using illegal tactics (such as threats and firings) to deny its workers the right to have a union.
  • Wal-Mart workers in Jonquiere, Quebec successfully organized their workplace through the United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union. Wal-Mart’s response was to close the store. 200 workers lost their jobs.
  • Wal-Mart challenged Saskatchewan labour laws, citing that their rights under the charter were being infringed upon after refusing to provide the Saskatchewan Labour Board with internal documents on training management how to remain union-free.
  • Wal-Mart has been found guilty 4 times in Canada for unfair labour practices for intimidating and harassing workers during an organizing campaign.
  • In Ontario Wal-Mart was fined $500,000 for failing to report workplace accidents and injuries.
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