Everyday No Bennies

Today's great Inquirer Letter #1...

Andrew Cassel's Aug. 21 column "From Nielsen to Wal-Mart" ignores some inconvenient facts.

He writes that Wal-Mart has fought unionization of its employees, "which is their right," while they have "declined" to join unions. In fact, there are numerous complaints before the National Labor Relations Board that Wal-Mart has used illegal tactics of intimidation to prevent its employees from unionizing.

Cassel argues that there's nothing wrong with Wal-Mart expecting its employees to rely on government programs for health care. He presents the situation as a choice between paying for Wal-Mart employees' health care with public funds versus paying for it with higher prices, which would be borne by Wal-Mart's customers. But the taxpayer money that pays for the government programs not only helps keep Wal-Mart prices low, it also enriches Wal-Mart executives and stockholders through high profits. This creates a disincentive for corporations in general to pay living wages and health benefits.

Glenn Frantz
Paoli