CNN: UPDATE:Wal-Mart Confident Congress Won't Pass Pro-Union Bill

[Omaha Steve]

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200903121427DOWJONESDJONLINE000972_FORTUNE5.htm

March 12, 2009: 02:27 PM ET

(Updates with additional comments from Holley and analyst)

By Karen Talley

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) feels certain that Congress will not pass the pro-union bill introduced this week, a Wal-Mart executive said Thursday.

"In the end, we are confident that Congress will get it right and it will be defeated," Wal-Mart Treasurer Charles Holley said at a Bank of America/Merrill Lynch consumer conference Thursday.

Holley was expressing what appears to be Wal-Mart's first public statement about the bill's prospects since it was introduced in both houses of Congress on Tuesday.

The retailer has said all along it is vehemently opposed to the legislation, which, Holley said, compromises freedom of choice and opens employees up to harassment if they don't go along with pro-union colleagues.

Holley added that Wal-mart has looked at compensation packages for union and non-union businesses and that it already "stacks up well," including starting pay and flexibility for workers.

"We're very, very competitive with union and non-union shops," Holley said.

Holley added that the so-called card check legislation "is not just about Wal- Mart. It's about all businesses - small, large - and all industries."

FULL story at link.

[Sultana]

1. O rly?

They are probably right x( :-(

[LakeSamish706]

2. "We're very, very competitive with union and non-union shops," Holley said.

Now that statement is a major laugh.... Does he think that the American people just fell off of a turnip wagon or something?

[HubertHeaver]

4. Yes,

Yes he does.

[Naturyl]

3. Yeah, why would a Democratic congress pass a pro-union bill?

That would involve them actually acting on their (alleged) values instead of compromising and knuckling under. Fat chance of that.

[Raine]

5. Sad, that they take such pleasure

from that thought. :-(