WP: Coughlin Says Cash Helped Wal-Mart:Ousted Exec Cites AntiUnion Expense

[DeepModem Mom]

Coughlin Says Cash Helped Wal-Mart
Ousted Executive Cites Expense of Anti-Union Activity

By Michael Barbaro
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 9, 2005; Page E01


ROGERS, Ark., April 8 -- The former head of Wal-Mart's U.S operations, ousted from the board after the alleged misuse of corporate funds, has maintained that the money was spent on anti-union activities such as paying people to identify stores where union leaders planned to recruit, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Such payments could violate federal law if they went to current union members. But lawyers for Thomas M. Coughlin, in rebutting what the company has called a "disagreement" over expense reimbursements, will argue that although he periodically paid people to keep tabs on organizing activity in Wal-Mart stores, none of the recipients were members of a union, the source said.

Coughlin "believes he was doing what was in the company's interest" by collecting information on union activity, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. In countering the company, his lawyers will contend "he was not stealing" but reimbursing himself for work-related expenses, the source said.

Coughlin has not been charged with a crime. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has turned the matter over to the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. The U.S. attorney's office declined to comment Friday.

Coughlin, once the No. 2 executive at the company, stepped down as a board member two weeks ago after an internal investigation raised questions about the use of up to $500,000 in company funds, Wal-Mart said. The investigation, which prompted the company to fire three more employees, focused on the alleged unauthorized use of corporate gift cards and suspect expense reports....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38810-2005Apr8.html

[Mr.Green93]

1. Wouldn't this be grounds

for seizing the company and giving the assets to the Union?

[DeepModem Mom]

3. From the article, re. law --

"Paying union members for information about organizing efforts is prohibited by the 1947 Taft-Hartley labor relations act. It also violates federal law to pay a current employee for information about union organizing activities, according to Robert Bruno, professor of labor and industrial relations at the University of Illinois at Chicago."

[madrchsod]

2. gift card payouts to the

anti-union people? walmart gift cards are very interesting means of undisclosed payments.

[BiggJawn]

4. Sounds like Tom is channeling Harvey Bennett,,,

Henry Ford's "Chief Thug", and some say that he personally beat Walter Reuther bloody in one of their "skirmishes" with UAW organizers.

You get 2 days a week off? You work a 40-hour week? You able to call in sick without losing your job?

Thank a Union.

You can't? Get Organizing.

[pnorman]

6. That was HARRY Bennett.

Otherwise, RIGHT ON! Here's some details of that vicious beating: http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=172&category=events

pnorman

[BiggJawn]

9. That's right, Harvey was the ad campaign at Buick...

And don't forget Henry's "Sociological Department", the fore-runner to Catbert's evil HR department. They spied on Ford workers to make sure they weren't drinking and whoring that buck-a-day paycheck away, and to ensure that Ford's female workers were living in the "proper" boarding houses and having good CLEAN fun...

[Zuni]

5. 3 cheers for good reporting!!!

The Washington Post just fucking nailed Wal-Mart, hard. I hate Wal Mart and I want to see them crash and burn. I heard on the radio last night that their stock is at a 52 week low and it has stagnated for 5 years. 5 years. Plus, sales revenue is down and expenses are up.

:woohoo:

[acmavm]

7. Spent last week working a temp job at an investment firm. The tight

assed geezes who have money invested in Wal-Mart are starting to panic.

It's really a very strange and ugly situation. It's a 'screw the workers, my stock is losing money so sell now' mentality.

Hate Wal-Mart, never been in one. Never frigging will. Went into a Sam's Club twice before I knew of the connection.

I'm sure that there's a suite in the bowels of hell reserved for the Walton family.

[Zuni]

8. they just took a big hit because of Maryland Democrats

Maryland just passed a bill (our evil repuke governor, who seemed very moderate when he campaigned threatens to veto it but it may be veto proof) that will charge Wal-Mart for extra taxes because they spend so little on Health benefits.


Plus, Wal mart has been spending alot of $$$ on an ad campaign to make them look socially responsible.:eyes: I wonder how many wal-mart employees could get better pay for those advertising dollars

Walmart =

[lonestarnot]

10. LOL WALFART!