British Wal-Marts selling greeting cards for civil-unioned gay couples?

[DeepModem Mom]

DeepModem Dad says he heard this on NPR this morning, as part of a story about Britain's new law enabling gay couples to enter into civil unions. Did anybody else hear it?

Last time I was in Britain, Wal-Mart stores were Asda stores -- but, in any case, I wonder what the reaction of Wal-Mart's "base" would be to this news? And what the chances would be of their selling similar cards in stores here?

[happyslug]

1. So What, If Walmart thought it make more money selling racist cards

Than it lost in other business from selling such cards, Walmart would be selling KKK cards. Walmart has no soul, it is a typical Corporation, anything for the bottom line, whether it is good or bad.

[marbuc]

2. I've heard (perhaps from the movie?) that Walmart

is highly regarded in Europe because the European system of corporate governance requirements require they treat employees fairly, and otherwise demonstrate minimum levels of corporate and social responsibility. Has anyone seen the movie or confirm this is true?

[DeepModem Mom]

4. I never considered that! Wal-Mart must have to abide by the rules...

of the British workplace, which are very different from ours.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Maybe not as lowly regarded as in the USA

But they aren't model employers.

War on Want has seen a leaked document titled “Warehouse Chip Away Strategy 2005” that outlines how Asda senior management are planning to drastically undermine labour standards. Asda management plan to breach these rights despite openly acknowledging the risks of trade union opposition and health and safety violations.

Work breaks are to be cut, grievance mechanisms removed and health and safety conditions weakened. The document also proposes removing the right to take individual grievances to external arbitrators. Asda management plans to include “single man loading” despite the fact that their own “risk assessment says 2 men (are) required for loading”. Line managers are advised to “lead by example, not taking all the breaks that hourly paid colleagues get” in order to “take credence away from breaks”.
...
In the UK too, workers at Asda have come up against Wal-Mart’s anti-union culture.
Following Wal-Mart’s 1999 take-over of Asda, the company has sought to restrict the role of general union GMB. After four years of negotiations, a new agreement between Asda and the GMB came into effect in 2004, which does not provide for collective bargaining. In the words of GMB senior manager Harry Donaldson, “We believe that, since the take-over, Wal-Mart has tried to stifle union activity at Asda.” Managers at a unionised Asda distribution depot offered workers a new terms and conditions package which included a 10% pay increase and the requirement that workers give up collective bargaining representation by the GMB. When workers rejected the proposal, Asda withdrew the 10% pay increase.

http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=2102

[DeepModem Mom]

7. Interesting -- thanks, mv! nt

[yellowcanine]

3. Hmm. Gays have their own greeting cards? Who knew? Don't they buy the

same greeting cards everyone else does?

[DeepModem Mom]

5. That's a good question. I wonder how the cards differ?

I guess a lot of wedding congrats cards have drawings of female brides and male grooms, which wouldn't apply? Or maybe there's some reference to finally being able to form such a union, after years together?

[Selatius]

8. I'd like to see Wal-Mart do this to French/German workers and see...

its ass kicked off the European continent as worker activism and union participation is high. There is also far more of a socialist ethos in Europe than the US.

[LynzM]

9. I heard it this morning, too....

Can't confirm that it's actually happening, of course, but they're supposed to be the equivalent of traditional wedding cards or what have you.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Thanks, Lynz, for confirmation! Not that I don't trust DMD...

but it was early in the a.m.