Walmart strikes deal with unions in Chicago
As part of an effort to obtain permission to build in Chicago, Walmart signed a deal that would require it to only use union workers on any construction projects. Walmart has repeatedly faced opposition to its efforts to build from unions that believe the company would threaten wage and benefit packages, due to its anti-union stance. The company said that if the application to build was approved, they would provide $20 million over the next five years to city groups for hunger and violence prevention. It also said that the store would create 12,000 jobs and $500 million in taxes. All previous attempts by Walmart to build another store in the city have been blocked by city council members. The council passed a bill in 2006 that was aimed at forcing larger stores to pay a living wage, but the bill was vetoed by the Mayor, who supports Walmart's efforts. The city zoning committee will consider its application to build a store on the city's south side tomorrow.
See "Walmart strikes deal with unions in Chicago", Jonathan Birchalll, Financial Times, June 21, 2010