In an letter to the editors of the New York Times, Joseph T. Hansen, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), has criticized the Obama administration for embracing Walmart as part of its efforts to get more supermarkets and fresh food offerings into so-called “food deserts” around the country.
The letter reads:
The White House’s decision to pay tribute to Wal-Mart for agreeing to open or expand stores in areas designated as “food deserts” was misguided.
Wal-Mart has a history of destroying good jobs in the communities it enters and creating jobs that perpetuate the cycle of poverty — leaving more workers unable to buy healthy food for their families.
Instead of honoring Wal-Mart, the White House should laud employers who are creating good jobs with benefits that can support a family and challenge Wal-Mart to do the same.
The letter reads:
The White House’s decision to pay tribute to Wal-Mart for agreeing to open or expand stores in areas designated as “food deserts” was misguided.
Wal-Mart has a history of destroying good jobs in the communities it enters and creating jobs that perpetuate the cycle of poverty — leaving more workers unable to buy healthy food for their families.
Instead of honoring Wal-Mart, the White House should laud employers who are creating good jobs with benefits that can support a family and challenge Wal-Mart to do the same.
- KC's View:
