Never in my life did I ever expect to write a letter defending Wal-Mart, but some of the gross inaccuracies in Nate Cougill’s piece “Rolling Back Prices: Why is America’s favorite billionaire on food stamps?” enraged me.
Actually, what caught my attention in Cougill’s story is that on more than one occasion, he referred to Wal-Mart’s “uneducated workers.” Well, as sad as it is, I have a bachelor’s degree, yes, one of those prestigious MTSU RIM degrees, and I’m employed at the hell-mart. I’m using my vast, useless knowledge to sell you and your friends DVDs, video games, and perhaps CD’s, though I usually send people with taste elsewhere. Why am I still at Wal-Mart?
Unfortunately it’s a catch-22 situation when you’ve worked a job so long you’ll actually lose money starting entry-level in your career. I’m not talking about just a little pay difference. Wal-Mart starts new employees out at decent wages, very close to entry-level positions in niche careers, and when you’ve worked there throughout college and have had yearly raises, you make more than you would if you started your career at a $7-8/hr. entry level job.
It’s not that I love Wal-Mart or plan to stay there for a career. Most days I curse the store and the fact that I walk into the store everyday. However, there are worse jobs to be had. As much as I really do hate the idea of working for the nation’s largest retail chain, it is nice to know that every two weeks my check will automatically be waiting in my account.
Before my employment at Wal-Mart, I worked at a local used media store. Loved the job, but hated not knowing exactly when I was going to get paid. Although I was suppose to get paid every Monday, if the store wasn’t doing well it may be another week before I got my paycheck. It’s hard to live like that when you have bills to pay.
As far as the health benefits, yes, Wal-Mart is stingy about giving employees full-time status. I worked full-time hours (34-40) for several months before I demanded full-time classification after being dropped from my dad’s insurance. When I explained my situation, they changed my status. I currently pay low premiums with a $1,000 deductible, but with the plan I am under, I am allowed three doctors visits and three prescriptions before I have to pay the deductible, so that really isn’t too bad. Besides, if I got into an accident or had a major health issue, I’d much rather be stuck with $1,000 versus the whole hospital bill.
The rumors about a third Murfreesboro store come and go. I believe the last I heard is that they decided against it.
Either way, it does bring jobs to the local economy. Any working college student knows what a hassle it is to find a job upon moving to this town. Perhaps this is why at least 50 percent of the people I work with at Wal-Mart are college students.
Yes, Wal-Mart does provide many reasons to bitch and be angry. I’m currently still bitching about how they won’t fix the air conditioning at the back of the store. It’s very unpleasant working with sweaty boobs and a sweaty back, but at least I can count on having a job to go to everyday.
? Casey Sheffield
