From the Organic Consumers Association:

Wal-Mart’s entry into the organic food market has, as was predicted, lowered standards for these products by demanding low prices from suppliers and sourcing supplies from factory farms and overseas suppliers.

Many believe that the industrialization of organics threatens the ability of consumers to be certain that products were raised and produced according to true organic standards.

Wal-Mart has failed to respond to requests by consumer organizations that they stop selling Horizon and Aurora Organic milk, which comes from intensive confinement factory farm dairies, and stop importing cheap and possibly suspect organic foods from China and Brazil.

Wal-Mart has also been accused of posting signs in its stores that mislead consumers into believing non-organic items are actually organic.

Today (Jan.11), Wal-Mart confirmed that over half of its employees, 53%, are not covered under the company’s health care plan.

Yet, despite these shameful numbers, Wal-Mart is trying to mislead the public by falsely claiming that its health care plans have actually improved. Here are the facts. Last year, Wal-Mart told the New York Times that it provided company health care to 638,000 employees. Now, Wal-Mart claims it provides company health care to only 636,391 employees.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a decrease, not an increase, of almost 2,000 employees.

We have to tell the American people the truth. And, the truth is that with $11 billion in annual profit, it is a national disgrace that Wal-Mart still fails to provide company health care to over half of its employees.

So along with that .19 you save on shaving cream, remember that you also get to pay for their employees health care. The taxpayers get stuck with the bill. How is it a company with $11 Billion in yearly profit cannot see to their own employees’ needs? Because they choose not to. Still shopping there?

PHILADELPHIA, Oct 13 (Reuters) – A Pennsylvania jury said on Friday that Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, must pay $78.47 million in damages to current and former Pennsylvania employees for forcing them to work “off the clock” or during rest breaks.

Wake Up Wal-Mart commented on the decision:

“We are pleased, today, that Wal-Mart’s employees, who were needlessly exploited in Pennsylvania, won justice. But, the real question is how many fines, guilty verdicts, and jury awards will it take for Wal-Mart to finally wake up and realize that it’s time to change into a more responsible employer. 

With 57 similar lawsuits, in 40 states, Wal-Mart must immediately end its exploitative business practices. This jury award confirms that the American people will not tolerate corporate irresponsibility and are demanding, both through the courts and our lawmakers, that Wal-Mart become a better employer that treats its 1.39 million workers with dignity, respect, and fairness.”

I quit shopping at Wal-Mart long ago and I will never shop there again.

Technorati tags: Wal-Mart / Corporate greed