Washington, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the newly released Wal-Mart internal memo:
“I was disappointed to read today about an internal Wal-mart memo describing despicable company tactics to increase their bottom line on the backs of the working men and women who keep their businesses running. Twenty-four hours ago, when Wal-mart’s CEO announced support for an increase in the minimum wage, I was hopeful that the nation’s largest employer was turning a corner in understanding that a strong and prosperous workforce leads to a strong and prosperous economy. But, today those hopes have been shattered. We’ve known that the Wal-Mart economy is based on using Medicaid to subsidize their profits, but now we know that behind their gains are shameful tactics such as discouraging unhealthy job applicants and voicing concerns about retaining older workers. Wal-Mart’s claims that their benefit plans are ‘generous’ for their employees couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s time for Wal-mart to understand that their company practices run counter to the very values that make this country great - fairness, opportunity and equality. Instead of spending money on public relations firms and communications strategies to improve their corporate image, that money is better spent on the hard working men and women that have made Wal-mart the economic giant that it is today.
