2006 Projects?

Oh, but it does. It increases productivity. It decreases turnover, thus keeping recruitment and training costs down. In fact, until very recently, the most expensive workers in the world (those in West Germany), were also the most productive.

Elizabeth

Not just you, but if a lot of people stopped...

We are the waves.

Elizabeth

You would be wrong, I am not out for a tv spot, nothing could be further from the truth.

Well I have, many times. As I said, sometimes people wish to work for the LNS or small company for a variety of reasons, accepting the fact they can never pay a very good wage. However, the more companies like Wartmart screw their employees down, undercut prices to drive away the competition, the worse general employment will become.

So if they close all their stores in three States and one Province in Canada for starters, perhaps they will be looking harder at their bottom line. There have been a few instances up here where Provinces have not let them open in some areas, they just are not wanted. If they are closing stores here and there, things get leaner. Then it might occur to them that somethings got to give.

Whatever, I really don't give a toss about what happens with regard to Wartmart and its practices south of our border, just about what they try to do up here. I shall continue to not patronize them, that is my right to do so and has nothing whatsoever, as you suggest, to do with a lack of ability to read financial statements.

I love that quote -- and it's one that kids today don't understand at all.

Or at least, their definition of "need" is different from what our used to be.

For myself, my needs are small -- but needlework is one of those "needs," no question about that. Now the level of my stash probably reaches luxury, but the stitching itself is definitely NEED.

-- Jere

here in UK I work at a part time job for minimum wage - £ 5.15 (8.92548 USD)

I do the job because it suits me - I drop dd off at school 8.45 ,cross the road to the shop to buy lunch and a newspaper and into work - if I need to I can take time off without hassle ( no sick pay though so unpaid leave if necessary ) finish at 3 ( usually hand in keys at 14.50) to pick up dd at

I think I did say that, sometimes people have reasons for accepting the lower pay. However, here, taking unpaid leave does not just mean accepting no pay for the days you were absent, all benefits that you contribute to stop during that period.

There are people in pretty desperate straits working some of these jobs here and they do not pay anything near a 'living' wage, worst is that they are at the whim of the manager doling out the hours.

With big corporations such as Wartmart making almost obscene profit lines, I feel compelled to mount my own small protest. It's the same scenario, just slightly different to insurance companies here insisting they had to jack car insurance policies up because of the number of claims. Some policies went up 25% - then at the end of the year they post a $4.5 billion profit ! Yes, they have to have a profit to attract stock money, but $4.5 billion off working joe ???

A side note on a Wal-Mart commercial - there's a woman who says that with her kids, her job, her busy schedule, Wal-Mart is great because it has everything and saves her time. Then she goes on to say that she goes down every aisle...if her time is so short, she'd do better to have a list and just shop the list!

Alison in Brooklyn where we do finally have a Target (actually 2) and a Costco and a BJs (out on the Queens County line) but still no Wal-mart or Sam's Club.

Nice to see someone writing in response to the Subject!!

You are very busy, Rita! I used to enjoy sewing clothing, and knitting fancy things many years ago! For 2006, I will revel in my new cataract surgery, finish at least six projects ( mostly almost done) , and learn to frame the fun items.,, as opposed to special gifts and I also want to try a new designer. I want to do some of the RK Portfolio work. They are just such fun, and lovely! Gillian

Florida

snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net wrote:

I know, but the problem is steep and people who cannot shop elsewhere because of their low wages, or too many kids, or whatever debt because they overspend on Christmas, or any myriad reasons will not stop and they comprise the bulk shoppers at the ...Marts. Run on sentence!

I can shop anywhere I want. So can you. Many cannot. I truly do side with you on your philosophy behind your intention. Full and utter agreement.

Poor me, there is no K-Mart in Texas at all and I NEED MARTHA STUFF!

LOL

The retailer I work for doesn't ask if I have insurance through another source. I do...but I've never been asked if I do and I've worked retail for the past 15 years.

Linda

Do you really believe Walmart "targets" other stores and wants a monopoly? Personally I just believe they have become the old fashioned department store where you could do one stop shopping. For instance: Sears here used to sell fabric, now they don't because there was no money in it. They also used to sell yarn, now they don't because there was no money in it. They used to sell candy, now they don't, same reason. I could go on and on.... Walmart figured out a way to offer many, many items at a low cost. What is so wrong with coming up with a business plan and it working.

take care, Linda

30-minute lunch breaks. You want to know how many times, as a legal secretary, I worked through lunch? But if I had gone to a lawyer and said "I was not allowed to take my lunch break", they wouldn't have taken the case, because they've worked their staff through lunch, too.

I do. Yes.

Elizabeth

Well, I'm still working on Bent Creek's Winter Row for my mantle piece (hardly had any time to work on it this week). I plan to do a seasonal row for the entire year. So far I have Spring and Fall done, I just need Winter and Summer. My hubby gave me this neat shelf/rack thingie in the hallway that's perfect to decorate with "smalls". I plan to work some of the Trilogy "ology" series and make them into little pillows that can sit on the little shelf or hang on the hooks. So far I've done some designs from Autumnology, Boology and Winterology. I plan to do some from Springology, Summerology, and Cardiology. I also am in the middle of working on Apple Sampler by Birds of a Feather. I also am still planning to do the C, L, H things I described in a previous post. I guess I better get to work!

Chris Howard

Here in B.C., and employee must be provided with an unpaid 1/2 hr. lunch break after working 5 hrs. There are no requirements to provide coffee breaks.

...L>This phenomena happens to anyone who works varying shifts. My husband

What business practises?

...Linda

No, I don't think so... What we are saying is, "They are all doing it, it's not okay, so target them all."

take care, Linda

I don't mind it when it's done for entertainment. I shop for entertainment too sometimes. What amazes me is what people think they need, how much stuff they have to have. I know young people working 40 hours a week while trying to go to school because they have to have cars, cell phones, cable, the latest cool clothes. It doesn't occur to them to cut back their consumption so they can spend more time studying and get their grades up. It's just amazing to me.

Elizabeth

Yes. I do. Not alone that, I also believe they have done serious damage to the manufacturing sector in the US by forcing them to drop the prices on their products and causing a number of them to go out of business. That's a heck of a price to pay for 50c cheaper panties.

You're entitled to your opinion but, IMO, old fashioned department stores were about customer service. Walmart is take it or leave it and, again IMO, much of their product is of inferior quality.

Working for whom? The people who lose their jobs when Walmart comes to town? Or the very wealthy Walton family?

emerald