The High Cost of Low Price

A verdict has been made for Stratford's East End and I am so glad!! We have declined to allow the amendment of Walmart setting up location in our town, but that may not be final, and the degree to which it has already sabotaged so many other small towns in our nation is appalling. The argument concerning Stratford place among all of this has been going on for several years now, and in my opinion could not have come to close on a better note.

Walmart has had a history, ignored by many in favour of its business, for supporting and condoning many detrimental practices, and effects cities and communities in a less than favourable way. What I have been thinking about and would like to examine is the ripple effect that Walmart has, not only on communities, but on our economy as a whole. People need to see Walmart as more than just a store.

First and foremost is the issue of where Walmart gets its products from. Although it is not unheard of for most companies to implement foreign "cheap labour" to manufacture their products, the standards of Walmart's practices are far below "standard." There is very little supervision of foreign suppliers, and critics say that many many of Walmart items have been made using sweatshops and prison labour. In 1995, chinese activist Harry Wu, filed charges against Walmart contractors for knowingly using prison labour in Guangdong Province in China. It is not a rarity for teenagers in foreign countries work, in some cases, 80 hours per week, for a wage of $0.14 and hour. Foreign countries can benefit from factory work of the conditions are safe and reasonable, and if the pay is comparable to the countries standards. However this is not the case when it comes to Walmart, as they have no current monitoring conventions! If this is to continue, (which it most likely will considering the source) I believe someone out there must find a loop hole in the contracts to ensure that they are supervised by an organization such as Social Accountability International or the Fair Labour Association.
Those are only the terms applicable to other countries sadly enough, and when it comes to employees and workers on the North American end, things don't look up too much. We know this is at issue just as much, simply from the number of lawsuits that they have had, without even dealing with the specifics. Walmarts illegitimate practices include aspects such as poor working conditions, unacceptable low wages, very strong anti-union abidements, and they offer no health care, even for full time employees. From a study done in 2006 it was uncovered that on average, sales associates were paid approx. $10.11 per hour, for a 34 hour work week, equating to about 17,900 dollars annually. That is 20% lower than what other employees with comparable positions working for other companies are paid, and 10,000 dollars less than what a family of two living at the poverty line need for one year. As well in 2004, a study was done concerning the violation of child labour laws. There were 1 371 instances where underage workers were working either to late, for too many hours during the day, and even during school, as well as 60,767 missed breaks and 15 705 missed meal times. I think a quote from Sam Walton says enough, "I pay ow wages. I can take advantage of that. We're going to be successful, but the basis is a very low-wage, low benefit model of employment." Now why would any city with the best interest of its people in mind even consider that as an option for employment? The fact is that many people simply choose to be oblivious, or to not accept these facts,in order to ease their own conscience.
If those are not reasons enough for people to change their minds, then perhaps the ways in which it effects Canada and our cities as a whole would be. This is the ripple effect that I mentioned earlier. Stratford is agreeably a small town by comparison, which depends on our local development and longevity in order for it to flourish. For 6 months of the year, tourists provide a large part of the income for local business. For the rest of the year, stores manage to depend on local shoppers for their income. It is these local businesses that give Stratford its core, and artisan ship, and to put them in the way of harm by mean of the Roll-Back man would deprive our city of the spirit and life which its uniqueness. In a recent article for the London Free Press, it was explained that Stratford's retail surplus consists of about 300 million dollars annually, and the inconceivable reality that a Walmart in Stratford would have taken at least 17% of those profits, had they been given the OK from city council. The affects would result in a complete demolishment of our precious downtown core, and much of the character of Stratford would be thrown out as the big yellow smiley face came waltzing in. Not only is a Walmart detrimental to an individual community such as out own , but it is also abominable in terms of the impact on Canadian economy. Walmart is an American company, so we keep none of the gross profits from having a store like this in our province or nation for that matter. Now in argument, some might say that for the people who cannot afford to spend a lot of money, Walmart is a suitable solution, and for those who can choose otherwise to simply not shop there. Never-the-less, it is not that simple. If the economy of Stratford was to dwindle because of a Walmart, more people would be left in the position of needing to shop there, and again as more people shop there, the economy would continue to suffer. A cycle like this is very difficult to be removed from once immersed in, or perhaps even recognize at all from the inside.
When city council made their choice to finally dismiss Walmart's requests, not only did they do what was right for the betterment of the people in this community, they acknowledged that they were willing to stand up for the future of Stratford's character. It was also refreshing to experience change at the hands of the people, and this choice expressed the voice and opinion of many of the hardworking and dedicated people in this city. It is so appreciable when the needs of the people are a prime factor in the future of a place as unmatched in terms of uniqueness as the city we behold.More importantly because under many circumstances they are not taken into consideration. Stratford may not seem so wonderful after having lived here for one's entire life, but I can personally guarantee that each and every one of us would be devastated if we were to allow the wake of Walmart to decimate its beauty. I commend the heritage council for truly doing its job, and preserving everything that we can continue to call home!

For a short and entertaining take on the issue, visit youtube, or watch the movie WALMART: The High Cost of Low Price.