WHOA! The CEO of COSCO only makes $350,000 a year & no bonuses!

[no_hypocrisy]

And no executive in COSCO makes more than ten (10) times the amount of the workers.

Jim Senegal thinks he gets a fair salary.

And COSCO also uses its profits to reward its employees with better salaries.

(This information gleaned from interview on CBS "Sunday Morning")

Cheney Walmart! I'm going to COSCO!!

[fudge stripe cookays]

1. And it also gives 100% of political donations to Dems.....

What more reason do you need?

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

2. So they invest the money back into the company and think long-term

instead of draining it dry and running it into the ground? Sounds like a company that might actually be good to invest in. Didn't know they had those anymore.

[Gothic Sponge]

3. COSCO or COSTCO?

I love Costco!

[no_hypocrisy]

4. My error. I meant COSTCO, rival of Walmart.

Sorry. I was too excited to edit and proofread.

[Skinner]

5. Whoa!

I think I might have to start shopping at costco.

[Gothic Sponge]

6. Read this:

http://jimhightower.com/air/read.asp?id=11397

[kanrok]

17. Hot damn. Goodbye Sam's Club, Hello Costco.

Excellent. Incredible company. If they were all like this who knows what this country would look like.

[Dirty Hippie]

7. I want a COSTCO

I wish they would expand in my area.

[Cassandra]

8. And he finds fun ways to treat himself...

that globe on his desk is made of inlaid semi-precious stones. I like how he cares about the company succeeding more than how much he can grab from it. This is often the case when the CEO is the founder. When the new guys come in at the top, they have no loyalty to the company and they are more likely to plunder it.

[Sporadicus]

9. I Want a Costco!

I live near the center of an area defined by the following major metro areas: Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, and St. Louis; each is 100-125 miles away. They all have at least one Costco, but none are to be found within this area. Louisville doesn't have one, which is my closest major metro area.

I'm not a big 'consumer,' but if there's some item I need, I'll definitely give consideration to ordering it from Costco via the internet. I'd probably recoup the $45 membership with the purchase of a single big-ticket item, and I'd have the satisfaction of knowing it didn't line Wal-Mart's pockets.

[brainshrub]

10. I won't be impressed

until I see COSTCO employees wearing a Union badge.

Still, I do like COSTCO. I refuse to step within 100 feet of a Wally-World unless I plan to take a dump in one of the aisles.

[sandraj]

11. looks like they're union...

Costco Workers in California Overwhelmingly Ratify Contract
http://www.teamster.org/04news/nr_040224_1.htm

(Washington, D.C.) – International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced today that thousands of union members who work at Costco in California have ratified a new contract by a 94 percent margin.

"This contract makes sure that Costco employees remain the highest paid workers in the grocery industry,” Hoffa said. “Many of our brothers and sisters in the industry are struggling with an ongoing strike. This contract is an example of what can happen when the union and the company cooperate at the negotiating table."

(more at link)

[brainshrub]

14. Halleluya!

In that case, COSTCO rocks!

[DoctorMyEyes]

13. Many Costco employees DO wear a union badge!

And even those of us working at non-union Costco's make decent wages and have good benefits!

I am a lowly non-union Costco worker and I LOVE my job! I work there because I believe so strongly in Jim Senegals business/political model.

Costco employees START at $10.00 an hour, and start getting raises after 90 days. We get time and a half on Sundays, close at a reasonable hour, and have major holidays off - with PAY! Part-time employees have health benefits and matching 401Ks.
There's plenty of opportunity for advancement from within and most workers earn about $40,000 a year after just 4 years.

The prices and the products are great. The return policy is liberal and generous and if you ever visit our bakery you will be hooked for life! LOL

Go to Costco! Get a good deal and feel good about it! :bounce:

[brainshrub]

16. Unionize now, while you still can.

I hear Home Depot used to be the same way. Four years ago the management changed and the the new CEO "Wal-Martized" the pay scale of the workers.

I applaud COSTCO's worker-friendly policies, but unless you go Union, you will get screwed eventually.

[DoctorMyEyes]

18. I am pro union

and have led two union organzing drives (at a former employer) in the last decade that resulted in a dozen NLRB hearings, two elections, but alas no union. (went from being a "pepper" to a "salt" in the organizing lingo! lol)

I've worked for unionized employers in the past and have belonged to two different unions.

Based on my experience and what I know (in this area anyway) there is NO WAY that a union drive at my Costco would have any chance of success. If some time in the future our pay and benefits were threatened, then yes - maybe. And I would certainly be at the forefront with the union cards in hand. But, until that time (if it happens) I would look like a nut and be marginalized for even suggesting such a thing.

It's hard enough to organize unhappy people who are getting screwed. I'm not about to attempt to try to organize "fat & happy" workers.

[brainshrub]

22. Point taken.

It's hard enough to organize unhappy people who are getting screwed.

Sad but true.

[DarthDem]

12. Great To Hear!

Very cool. I've always loved Costco's business model.

Target Corporation (formerly Dayton Hudson Corporation) engages in very similar behavior, and, of course, U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN) is, without complicating things too much, essentially the heir to that company's fortune.

Folks, there is absolutely no reason in the world to shop at Wal-Mart, controlled by one of the country's most despicable corporations. If you need similar products, go to Target or Costco.

[prolesunited]

23. Between Target and Costco

who needs to shop anywhere else. I have a pantry shelf in my basement where I can store all the extras. I just keep what I need downstairs and replenish things as needed. Buying in bulk is less expensive and much more convenient.

Makes it really easy to avoid WalMart. I also have a union grocery store down the street. :-)

Put your money where your mouth is.

[curse10]

15. that's awesome

there is a Costco kind of near me. I'll have to look into a membership.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

19. Everett, Danvers, and Waltham

are the closest ones! I love Costco! :D

[jukes]

24. RationalRose

love your kitty fotos!

i have 1, a feral-rescue, that is similar to your spot-nose, but his spots are russian-blue. officially "kenneth", his nick is "ken kabuki-man" or "kabook" because his liner-like eye accents & his nose remind me of a kabuki mask!



(off topic, sorry, orig-poster. but i'll become a costco member tomorrow!)

[lpbk2713]

20. I googled for "overpaid executive list" and here's what I found........

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2004-04-30-paychart.htm

The "compensation" is based on what they are paid and how their company performed in 2003. Interesting to note that the CEO of the outfit I retired from made (I didn't say "earned") 15 Million while he nickel and dimed all the peons.

I would be proud to work for a company like Costco.

[Not Me]

21. As Ed Schultz says, "Don't ever look for me to darken Walmart's door"

I once went into a Sam's Club to see what it was about. Never bought a membership. I just recently bought a Costco membership (primarily bcuz their gas prices were about 15cents less than average, and it is right down the street.)

I have noticed though, that the people inside--employees as well as customers-- are (how do I say this without sounding snobby??) more sophisticated. The cashiers seem to know what their job is, and how to perform it. The store is orderly and clean. And with what's been posted earlier on this thread, it seems as though some of my values are shared.

[philosophie_en_rose]

27. Costco is a less hostile environment.

I've only been to Walmart a few times. After it opened in my hometown, I had to check it out during holiday break. It was hostile, violent, and depressing. I felt sorry for all of the workers, because they clearly were unhappy.

On the other hand, Costco is actually pleasant. Even in the warehouse atmosphere, the employees actually seem like they aren't having their fingernails pulled out. Perhaps customers are a little doped up with free samples and low prices, but I've never had an issue with Costco.

[leftofthedial]

25. that is the way it ought to work

but the would be aristocracy in this country has learned how to get away with theft and murder AND blame the victims.

Nay time we raise this issue, the neocons shout "class warfare" from every media outlet in the country.

[proud patriot]

26. This is WHY I shop at COSCO

:-)

[devilgrrl]

28. Bet he lives well too

COSTCO rocks!

[Don_G]

29. That's Leadership

And I hope they expand in my area so I can start shopping there.