Progressive Student Union members joined with local residents to voice their opposition to Wal-Mart's plans to open four stores within the District of Columbia. We joined this community-based movement because:1. Wal-Mart is anti-union. The jobs in these stores will be low-wage and low-benefits. Unionized grocery stores will be at a competitive disadvantage, driving down wages across the sector.
2. Wal-Mart hurts local businesses. Locally-owned stores keep money circulating in the community. When Wal-Mart enters a market, it siphons off support from small and local businesses and sends those profits elsewhere (specifically to some of the richest people in the world.)
3. DC needs affordable housing. Wal-Mart's proposed locations are all at the border of gentrification zones. These stores will break down locale communities; city-sponsored affordable housing would strengthen them.
Two groups are organizing around this issue: Respect DC is asking the company to sign an Enforceable Community Benefits Agreement guaranteeing that it will pay a living wage and good benefits. Keep DC Wal-Mart Free is... yeah.
ACTION: Thursday, Jan 27, 9am -12pm. Community members will be lobbying City Council representative along with Respect DC at the John Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave.
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