Wal-Mart's sweet deal with the DOL

Submitted by night reader on Mon, 02/21/2005 - 05:47
in

Report indicates that Wal-Mart gets preferential treatment from the Department of Labor.

Basically, it looks like Wal-Mart negotiated a deal with the DOL that gives Wal-Mart a fifteen day "heads up" when the DOL is going to inspect them. That gives Wal-Mart some time to fix up any alleged violations before the inspectors get there. In fifteen days, they can probably fix up all the stores for the inspectors.

Following a failed inspection, Wal-Mart is given 15 days to comply.

Kind of funny if you ask me. This is a company that prides itself on doing things on time... and damn those companies that can't meet the schedule. Yet, Wal-Mart is allowed to break the law for up to ten days?

Looks like the DOL is asleep at the wheel, and Wal-Mart is taking advantage of it, and possibly, of their employees.

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Did Wal-Mart Censor the DOL Press Release

Submitted by night reader on Mon, 02/21/2005 - 06:15.

Nathan Newman's blog reports that a DOL press release about Wal-Mart was retracted and altered.

See the Article.

In short, a phrase was deleted. It said, "resulting in one teenager being injured while operating a chain saw." I think the details were too gory for Wal-Mart.

What does Wal-Mart have to do with the DOL? Well, they cut a deal with the retailer so that Wal-Mart can censor press releases that the DOL writes. That's government cooperating too much with business.

press release from greg spotts, film producer

Submitted by night reader on Fri, 03/04/2005 - 07:27.

BLOGGER GREG SPOTTS SEEKS DOCUMENTATION OF CHILD LABOR VIOLATIONS AT WAL-MART, SEARS AND FOOT LOCKER

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST FILED WITH THE LABOR DEPT.

February 16, 2005- Blogger Greg Spotts has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Labor to obtain documents that may reveal preferential treatment provided to Wal-Mart, Sears, Foot Locker and other large retailers in Federal investigations of child labor law violations. Spotts' blog, entitled “American Jobs,