Commissioner questions Walmart's plumbing problems

[Newsjock]

Source: WTSP

Brandon, FL -- Show me the problems. That's what one Hillsborough County commissioner is now telling Walmart. The company says it had to fire hundreds of employees earlier this week due to plumbing problems at its store in Brandon, but after looking at the circumstances, Commissioner Victor Crist is asking whether that reason makes sense.

It was clear, say laid-off Walmart workers, the retail giant was well-organized. Ready to pull the trigger, when it told thousands of employees in the Brandon store, and four more stores across the country, that they would suddenly be closing for major plumbing issues.

... So how is it the same company that apparently had all of its ducks in a row, coordinating the simultaneous closing of five stores around the country, had not -- according to county officials -- pulled even one permit for the plumbing work it claims it so desperately needs done?

It's a question that has fueled speculation about other motives like union-busting, even government conspiracy. And now it's even got Crist, who represents the district where the Brandon Walmart is closing, asking questions.

Read more: http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2015/04/17/commissioner-questions--walmarts-plumbing-problems/25949091/

[titaniumsalute]

1. The Walmart Masters Have Spoken

They don't care about no stinken' government asking questions. How dare they challenge the almighty WalMart.

[KansDem]

2. If I may...

Permits? We ain't got no permits. We don't need no permits. I don't have to show you any stinking permits!


(Walmart executive)

This is looking more and more like a reaction by Walmart to the strikers wanting a living wage. The fact that Walmart attributed thier store closings to something as ridiculous as "plumbing problems" only demonstrates how inept and clueless they are.

This is Walmart's feeble attempt at strike breaking, and I hope it backfires...big time!

[titaniumsalute]

9. Awesome movie reference

And yes the union situation looks to be the catalyst of this decision by the Masters at Walfart.

[valerief]

3. Yeah. Walmart IS the government.

We do live in a fascist state now.

[turbinetree]

4. Lets get this

straight:
As a former contractor and Union carpenter----35 years experience certified and trained by Union Carpenters and a four year apprenticeship we were taught the rules----not cheat on the rules like this company does all the time.
When you go and get a permit you have to have all the permits together
ie...... plumbing, electrical, site preparation, easement rights, and the most important for insurance reasons it must be inspected in accordance to the state and federal codes at each step f the process------so that you can have the certificate of occupancy for the business, home or any structure being built.
According to this article to put a building up you don't wait until after the fact, by state law in any state they get there revenue from that permit and to try to circumvent that process just shows the full character of this firm.
Walmart is nothing more than a 60 billion dollar a year scam on workers and to the county, state, taxes that are passed on to the closing of the small business unto the county, state and country just to pad there proverbial pockets of deceit and deception.

I will not shop at Walmart-----period, not until they become UNION

[Newsjock]

5. After Closing Stores, Walmart’s “Plumbing Problems” Excuse Doesn’t Hold Water

http://makingchangeatwalmart.org/2015/04/17/after-closing-stores-walmarts-plumbing-problems-excuse-doesnt-hold-water/

... Not surprisingly, many employees and customers aren’t buying it. According to city officials in Pico Rivera, CA, home to one of the five closed stores, Walmart has not even applied for permits to engage in plumbing work. The other shuttered locations included stores in Livingston, TX; Midland, TX; Brandon, FL; and Tulsa, OK. As one Walmart customer at a store in Florida noted:

“If it was a plumbing issue, would they really wait this long to shut down immediately?”

Given Walmart’s well-documented track record of retaliating against employees who speak out for better working conditions, it’s much more likely that this recent spate of store closings is just the latest effort to silence dissent within the company’s workforce.

At the Pico Rivera store, the mostly Latina workers have been some of the most vocal Walmart associates calling for improved conditions at the retailer. In 2012, the store was home to the first-ever strike by Walmart employees in the United States. On Black Friday last year, the same store saw the first-ever sit-down strike in the company’s history. Indeed, of the approximately 4,000 stores in the country, it’s a curious coincidence that plumbing problems have afflicted the store with the most outspoken workers.

... As tens of thousands of men and women rally and strike throughout the country this week as part of the Fight for 15 movement, members of OUR Walmart have no plans to quit speaking out. Pico Rivera associates plan to protest at the store every day until the company guarantees their jobs back. And OUR Walmart, the association of current and former Walmart employees, are calling for all 530 laid off associates at the Pico Rivera store to be transferred to the store nearest them, receive compensation until they are relocated and be offered the possibility to return to their previous positions when the store reopens.

[DeSwiss]

6. I don't buy any Wal-Mart shit.......

...and I make it a point to encourage everyone I know not to shop there. Ever.

- Fuck the Waltons. Damn them straight to HELL.

K&R

[Lucky Luciano]

7. I'm ignorant re union stuff.

What benefit does wmt get from saying they had plumbing problems?

[Half-Century Man]

10. Plumbing problems equal health hazards and safety concerns, so a justifiable closing.

Closing stores with histories or on suspicions of worker cooperation against management/owners is very illegal business practices.

The temporary loss of profits from 5 stores is miniscule compared to specter of mass unionization. So the closings send the message of just who reigns supreme in Walmartia. The excuse buys them time until the workers who laid off, either get desperate or no longer have to be rehired upon completion of "repairs".
The repairs which, as of now, have had no inspections to verify a need, have had no permits applied for, and do not seem to be of any real concern to the company losing money.

[Klong]

8. Walmart says no permit pulled until

they have a quote for repaired lines. Oh geez, this could be a while.