Source:
Associted PressNEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation's largest private employer, is scaling back the eligibility of health care coverage offered to future part-timers and dramatically raising premiums for many of its full-time workers. Industry observers say the changes could have implications for millions of other workers, as more companies on the fence could replicate its moves.
The discounter, which employs more than 1.4 million workers, said the changes were forced by rising health care costs. All future part-time employees working less than 24 hours a week, on average, will not be covered under the plan, starting next year.
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"Wal-Mart's plan to roll back health care coverage for part-time workers and raise premiums for full-time employees should set off alarm bells for American workers," said Joseph Hansen, president of the UFCW in a statement." This lowering of working standards will have repercussions throughout the retail industry — particularly for part-time workers."
Read more:
http://news.yahoo.com/wal-mart-trims-health-care-coverage-225625971.html
Sucks to be a Wal-mart employee. Time to O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-E.