WakeUpWalMart.com - Take off Walmart's health care "mask"



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Take Off Walmart's "Health Care Mask"

Sign the Open Letter

Sign The Open Letter to Mike Duke

Apparently, every day is Halloween at Walmart headquarters. For months, Walmart has been dressed up as a health care champion: trumpeting support for the employer mandate and running ads about how "proud" it is of its health care record. In truth, Walmart's talk simply masks the reality of its health care failures.

Behind Walmart's PR mask is something uglier and scarier than anything you will see this Halloween. Behind the mask is the harsh reality of Walmart's notion of health care: unaffordable and inadequate coverage, nearly half of its employees without company health care, and a staggering number of its workers forced onto taxpayer-subsidized health care.

This Halloween, we want to do something a little different. We want to take off Walmart's mask and challenge the company to live up to its own rhetoric on health care. Join us. Take action, and help us "remove Walmart's mask" in time for Halloween.

Sign our open letter to Walmart CEO Mike Duke, calling for better coverage for employees and support for real heath care reform

Dear Mr. Duke,
You have said Walmart cares about health care coverage. You have said Walmart claims to want reform. Last year, your company made $13 billion in profits. Yet, nearly 700,000 of your workers still go without company health care. That’s wrong.
Walmart claims that costs need to be controlled, but your own plans are unaffordable for many of your employees. These high costs force approximately 13% of your employees onto state health care programs like Medicaid and SCHIP in at least 8 states where data is available.
Mr. Duke, it’s your responsibility to lead Walmart toward better health care coverage. Do the right thing, make your actions match your words: your employees deserve the quality, affordable health care coverage you claim all Americans should have.

What Else You Can Do?

Get Local

This Halloween, we are organizing actions across the country. Find out if we are "taking the mask off Walmart" in your area.

Call your Members of Congress

Use HCAN's click-to-call system to lobby your legislators:
let them know you support substantive health care reform.

Your Comments

Posts will appear after the approval process

C. V. writes

Yes, I know it's a little late to be getting this, but around Halloween I started en experiment in shopping: my list first goes to a nearby Wal-mart and prices are checked (cost per measure of course). Then I go elsewhere and if the item has a lower or equal CPM, I buy it. I'll even buy it for a few pennies more because I know your competition actually tries to hold down cost. With the wealthiest Americans being Wal-Mart heirs while your employees at store-level make peanuts, it's pretty clear: you're not really trying!

B. G. writes

because of your 'health care' my little sister can not go to the Dr when she is sick or hurt. She is so broke because of working for you if any major health crisis happens she will be bankrupt. How is this fair?

M. R. writes

your horrible

J. R. writes

Why not get something we can afford?

S. O. writes

The line to get into Smell-Mart just down the road from me - on Black Friday - was over a 1/2 mile long, and blocked people going to work. Isn't something WRONG with that picture? These people could not get to work due to your greed? You, sir, are an as*hole with a Capital *A* !!!

M. F. writes

Walmart is a cancer that just keeps spreading!!!

F. R. writes

Walmart doesn't need to be such a bad company. Profits will still be huge if you do right by your employees. And stop insuring the poor staff for your benefit when they die. It's unconscionable.

D. M. writes

A company that grosses more than the combined GDP can afford health insurance. You control your supplier's prices. You have purchased--and continue to purchase--products from China, whereas Sam Walton's visionwas of a store that would sell only American products and treat his employees like family. You have changed his vision into a nightmare for millions of Americans.But--you cannot continue this without the support of your customers. Many people now boycott your company because of its business practices. That number will only increase as the economy gets better. When you start to lose masses of potential customers du to your discard of Sam Walton's vision, you will have only yourself to blame.

E. V. writes

u would think as large as WARMART MEGA GIANT have great insurance need two spend the money so there people could have real insurance coverage if they wanted two what was right for the people that work there.

M. C. writes

change your ways, do the right thing, do what you say you do, provide for your employees and quit making the tax payers of America provide your benefits! You are ruining this great country, you know you are, you take pride in that but we will grow in numbers and you will be stopped.

L. C. writes

Please do the right thing.

D. W. writes

Mr. Duke,
Please look in the mirror and ask yourself if what you are doing for your employees, or not doing for them, is the right thing!!! You must answer to God for the decisions you make here on earth; are you willing to answer to God concerning making billions in profits, you personally making vast sums of money and yet denying your employees decent, affordable health care coverage?

J. C. writes

Please get with it.

M. B. writes

Walmart should be ashamed of itself. I never shop there, and, I haven't for years because of your exporation of your workers.

J. M. writes

stop buying cheap low quality garbage from asia and try and sell made in america products and I will reconsider your stores.

P. J. writes

Your company represents corporate greed at its worst.

M. J. writes

between the green washing and destroying businesses, i refuse to shop at walmart ever

M. W. writes

if we sign up for this on line, walmart will find out and fire us, simple as that, not a care in the world for u. they will just fire you, they will find some excuse to fire you. So most people will not sign this. they do not want to loose their jobs. You have to make this easier for the workers at walmart to sign and not be fired.get some sort of contract going, so if people sign and they get fired, then they can sue walmart for breach of contract, i'm telling you , they wont put their names here or anywhere unless they are guarenteed not to be let go right away or in the future.

E. W. writes

did you know that wal~mart is once again raising the cost of health benefits it will happen soon i heard estimated cost rising to $240 per pay check that is almost half of what the average wal~mart employee makes in two weeks wal~mart also needs to treat emloyees equally and stop making bay pay associates do what there managers should be doing I got written up by management just so they could keep me from advancing and they would'nt tell me why I am glad i left walmart to come to work for the ufcw loacal 1000 at least I know I will be treated fairly at my job and I might stand a chance at making something good happen in my life.

T. G. writes

Walmart offers such sparce employee health care coverage, and yet supports government paid insurance...I see, let the public subsidize your business expense.

D. K. writes

Shame

D. F. writes

wal-mart is destroying America

G. H. writes

You support sweatshops and illegal child labor. You are a despicable company.

B. R. writes

WalMart needs a union!

J. H. writes

Since I've started at Wal*Mart I've been treated like a slave.

D. G. writes

With all the money you make I'm sure it's possible to provide better health insurance for your employees and changing your "sick leave" policy! Come on Wal-Mart you can do it!

M. M. writes

Give Walmart employees full health care coverage.

C. C. writes

Put your money where your mouth is Wal-Mart!

J. C. writes

I have not shopped at Wal-Mart for years due to their vendor and labor practices. They have been cited in the past for goods made with child labor and prison labor. The disgraceful pay and benefits of its employees have been known for years. They practice robber baron capitalism at its best!

C. O. writes

I get insurance coverage from my employer, Home Depot. If my company can do it, why can't yours?

K. B. writes

everyone knows of walmart. quit all the gazillion tv ads and maybe wm associates could have affordable healthcare. also what about all the $$$$$$$ flat screen tvs in store with adds going 24/7 lots of $$$ there not to mention all the electric spent there!!! think about it!!!!

N. F. writes

I have not shopped at a Walmart for about two years. I would rather spend a little more money for a quality product from a company that treats their employees fairly.

P. F. writes

even with wal-mart health insurance coverage we do not get the care needed because of cost.

D. R. writes

Walmart is ruining America. China thanks you very much, however.

K. M. writes

As of today 11-7-09 I will no longer purchase any products from Wal-Mart and I will discourage family, friends, and co-workers from purchasing or even setting foot in your establishments until you change your ways. This means you need to provide a liveable wages, stop preying on the poor, care about people as much as you do about profits, stop being a bully and the list goes on.

W. C. writes

wal-mart should be ashamed of themselves with the profits they make compared to the health ins. they offer their employees..

H. F. writes

I will no longer shop at Walmart, just as J.O. writes,
until you provide affordable & reasonable health care to all your employees. You are providing products presumably cheaper than at other stores BUT the cost of the health care is being born by all of us and the increase in profits your stockholders. Why should taxpayers subsidize Walmart's stockholders?

M. L. writes

You are such a disgraceful employer you make it easy not to shop in your stores and to urge others not to!

B. M. writes

You are the wealthest,yet pay employees so little wih few benefis. Shame on you! I never shop there as I don't want to give you one cent more.

D. H. writes

I will not shop at Walmart . It's workers deserve a living wage and decent health care coverage.

J. O. writes

I will not shop Wallmart until it becomes a responsible corporate parent that provides adequate benefits for their workers,

D. W. writes

WalMart is "GREEDY"...Put on a great front for the public!! Donate "BILLIONS" to shelters & other special needs to make them look so careing!! As for their "associates"..they are playing the take away game!!!! They want to hire those that are already on gov. Aide & those that have access to other insurance so it doesen't cost so much to the co.!!! As for our wages..those that make $10.00 or more hr. Are pressured to go part time & extra work load!! We use to receive decent bonus checks quarterly of around $500.00, now it's a slap in the face of maybe $14.00!! All associates are expected to do the work of 3 people!! If we need a day off, we have to find some one quallified to change days with or ask for that day 3 weeks ahead of time!! Our lunches are scheduled by the home office as well as brek times..we use the rest room only during those times!! Cashiers are now like robots, specieal things to ask each customer like will this be on your charge& would you like to apply!! They are expected keep a.certain rate of speed on the register as well!! Attendance is so incareing & wrong!! Their point system is BAD!! Each abscence of 3 days is 1. Point.. 6 points in 6 month time & your job is gone!!! Working with the public & having all illnesses come threw the checkouts makes the associates more septable fir illness!! Our maintenance people are now told not to clean our break rooms or make coffee!! We are timed in our breaks & iff their is no coffee made you have to make it & probabley nit have time to sit down & drink it!! Tell me, is this the loveing & careing "WalMart" that they give to the public??? Anyone that treats teir customers & associates as they are doing will pay for it!!!!!

D. G. writes

Just stop I will never shop at Walmart

F. P. writes

Please tell Wall-Mart to stop selling China goods.

S. N. writes

We're watching you.

K. K. writes

If you're not going to do the right thing for your employees, at least stop lying about it.

R. P. writes

Walmart has ruined my town! I am pretty sure they teach their employees how to get gov assist because I know a couple who just got divirced so he can get his meds, she made too much money at Walmart for assistance.

B. S. writes

I am doing a paper on the relationships between walmart and the lowell mills. one of the main topics is health care. i said that both of these buisness places give inadequate care to those who need it. Please change your health care to help all of your workers.

M. B. writes

Please be a leader and not a problem!

V. A. writes

I will NEVER shop at your stores until you become a responsible employer.

W. B. writes

Wal-Mart will never change its spots!

C. W. writes

Due to Walmart's policies, it's been 3 years since I shopped there. 35 million/hour profit, and no healthcare for the workers? No way!!

J. K. writes

I would echo the comment, we pay for your employee health costs so you can make astronomical profits??? How sad it this? How do you people sleep at night? I as well refuse to step foot in your store! JK

M. N. writes

Bad Jujube

R. J. writes

It would cost me 270.00 per bi-weekly paycheck to get my two young children to the doctor for shots and checks ups. I ONLY MAKE 600.00 IN A PAYCHECK!!!!! This is crazy I am going to have to apply for Medicaid.

C. L. writes

Since Mr. Walmart died and his children sold out, you corp. guys are really bad news. Mr. Walmart is probably rolling in his grave. And all you guys are millionaire's. How sad is that?

J. G. writes

I will not shop at Walmart.

N. H. writes

I refuse to subsidize YOUR health care costs for YOUR EMPLOYEES so you can have huge, unjustified profits.

J. T. writes

I have stopped shopping at your store because of your policy's and lie's!!!!!

L. P. writes

Stop burdening taxpayers!! It is ridiculous that Walmart is not providing quality, affordable healthcare to their eligible employees or keeping employees just under the criteria where they would provide healthcare benefits.

K. F. writes

We could really use help in this matter.

C. B. writes

Awful company to work for. No preventative healthcare, low wages, bully management, employees fired for taking days off to see a doctor and accidents not reported. I could add so much more, and will, but I encourage everyone to boycott this terrible company.

F. L. writes

Every since I have heard how your employees are treated I have not walked into a Walmart or Sam's. I encourage my family and friends to do the same.

J. J. writes

If your employees aren't recieving adequate health coverage, they are being treated unfairly and should be employed elsewhere!

S. M. writes

I have been a customer of Wal-Mart all my life but I will not return until you treat your associates fairly, stop the talk and take some action.

E. B. writes

my husband pays an extreme amount of money for insurance and coverage is limited.

R. S. writes

I will NEVER shop wallmart until your employees are TRUELY TREATED FAIRLY.Spread the wealth. I do!

G. C. writes

Wal-Mart can/should do alot better on health coverage!!

L. P. writes

I personally don't like Walmart and get very upset when I go to their store and see people with there carts full of stuff. And Walmart don't care about people or there needs. They lie tothere employees and don't follow throu with there promises. Give your employees some benefits you greedy store Ceo's/Managers. You are hustlers off of the poor and needy people. Give back to the communities and neighborhoods. Stop using people. That's why I don't like shopping at your dirty store.

M. L. writes

Give the workers the health care they deserve-your profits have been up!

C. D. writes

I refuse to shop at WalMart even though it is the closest store in my neighborhood. I find their duplicity appalling.

D. P. writes

Please do what's right...your owners are 4 of the top 10 richest people in the USA. Stop hiring part-time workers and working them up to 39 hours just so that you don't have to pay them full-time benefits. That's a crappy way to repay the communities where you make your millions!

D. F. writes

I haven't shopped at Walmart in years since I've become aware of their horrible policies and treatment of their employees. If Walmart continues in such unfair practices it will remain K-Mart and Target for me!

G. T. writes

Do the humane thing!!! Do not worship money!!
What so ever you do for the so called "least"...
You want to be known as the company with the real heart and soul not the "abusive company".

J. D. writes

Please honor your employees with the health care that is their right.

P. H. writes

The insurance I have with Wal-Mart is good, but if I lived by myself without the second income into the household I would not be able to afford the insurance. Just recently Wal-Mart has restructured and is implementing a rotating schedule which will not allow anyone to have a second job so that they can make ends meet! So sad that this large company has to cop out to the marketing game with words that are not true. The hypocrisy and the greed makes me sick and a little ashamed that I work for this company. It was not like this 10 years ago. The company's claim to "care" make my job even more frustrating. With the economy and lack of jobs I am grateful that I do have one! Please make your actions match your words, or maybe you should take down the pictures of Sam Walton and his wonderful quotes that no longer apply.
Thank you,
Pamela Hubbard

Z. R. writes

You need to take responsibility for your employees. Don't dump their needs on the rest of us.

A. Q. writes

I as a former employee have seen the horrid things that go on at walmart especially as a dept manager

S. J. writes

Wal-Mart, no matter how they copy Target commercials, is gross.

W. C. writes

Health care insurance is way too much money!

S. S. writes

Sooner or later you will be made to provide quality health care insurance.

J. M. writes

I have noticed that instead of hiring more full time employees, you have been hiring part-time employees and forcing your full time employees to work part time so you won't have to pay any benefits including health care. I spend a great part of my budget at wall-mart but because of your deplorable practices, I am considering shopping at target instead.

S. S. writes

you should be ashamed of the corporate greed that you ARE, I personally DO NOT shop walmart, they are stinky, dirty and could give 2 cents about the poor soul that shops there (we also see it in your NON quality-goods, management and the whole package) and sweatshops. YUCK YUCK YUCK, I would like nothing more than to see your company go belly up, and a thousand teetsie flies infest your armpits!!

R. C. writes

we don't mind paying more for your products, give your employees a decent wage andhigh quality NO cost to the employee healthcare, Sam Walmart is rolling in his grave right now as he sees how GREEDY your company is

M. M. writes

Wal-Mart sucks, the people who run wal-mart sucks and anyone who supports wal-mart sucks. I will never shop at your crap shack!

M. M. writes

Your employees are paid so little, and the people at the top have so much money - it is time to be responsible and treat your employees well.

L. S. writes

You need to be unionized!

W. M. writes

Mr Duke, Please do the right thing for a change.

S. S. writes

Until you start showing responsability as a US corporation, I will not support your stores and will continuously tell anyone else that will listen to do the same. As the biggest retailer in the world, your employees should also be sharing is some of those rewards. Afterall, Wal Mart did not get to where it is today with just an executive board...it took ALL of it's employees past present and future to get you where you are today. Greed is what you should change your store name to.

J. S. writes

mike duke, its time for you to step up, and ask yourself this important question,"do i want the health care to fail or do i want to make a difference in health care for all americans?"

V. W. writes

what kind of coverage does ceos have and what do they pay

G. G. writes

Basta!

D. S. writes

Put some of your huge profits for your poor employees health care

E. D. writes

I will continue to boycott your stores until you clean up your fake act.

J. N. writes

You are taking advantage of the bad economy in your ads, but in reality you are contributing to it!!! I will never shop your stores.

D. E. writes

Walmart has always been exploitive and manipulative with regard to its workers.

J. C. writes

I'll avoid shopping at your store while you continue your shoddy treatment of workers.

C. R. writes

All our employees should have health care. How can you make so much money and not care about your employees.

D. L. writes

my insuranse went up over $36.00 per pay period, so there goes my yearly raise I look forward to every year. I thought Wal-mart was suppose to be family oriented, that's a bunch of bull Money hungry and don't give a damn about long time employees

P. B. writes

Do the right thing Mr. Duke...!

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