Wal-mart Faces Growing Resistance As More Sign Up to Say ‘No’ To Job Killing Megastore
Wal-mart Free NYC today announced today that Councilmembers Letitia James, Robert Jackson, Dr. Mathieu Eugene and Jumaane Williams have declared their opposition to Wal-mart and will fight to keep the job-killing mega store out of New York City.
The elected officials join a growing list of elected officials, community leaders, clergy, and small businesses throughout the borough who oppose the Arkansas-based big box retailer’s plans to move into Brooklyn, and displace homegrown stores and good local jobs.
Just this week National Organization of Women’s New York City chapter announced their opposition to Wal-mart saying ,“This is an employer who takes advantage of its workforce at every opportunity. The women of New York City deserve better.”
Councilmember Letitia James said: “Small businesses are the engines of the New York City economy, creating jobs, spending locally and keeping our dollars in the community. Wal-mart could put those small businesses out of business, costing us valuable jobs, as well as hurting our economy while doing so. For these reasons, New York must say no to Walmart.”
Councilmember Robert Jackson said: “Mom and pops need Wal-mart about as much as New York needs another blizzard. Wal-mart puts small businesses out of business, especially in tough times like these.”
Councilmember Dr. Mathieu Eugene said: “We need to do everything possible to help small businesses thrive. I am concerned that Wal-mart coming to Brooklyn will hurt businesses already struggling in this tough economy.”
Councilmember Jumaane Williams said: "Wal-mart is selling false promises. They promise jobs, but they kill three jobs for every two they 'create.' And the jobs they 'create' pay, on average, 18 percent less than the jobs they destroy. My community deserves jobs with livable wages. They shouldn't have to settle."
Studies have shown that Wal-mart destroys small businesses and jobs when it opens up in urban neighborhoods. A study published by the Center for Urban Research and Learning Loyola University Chicago found that after a Wal-mart store opened in the Austin neighborhood in 2006, over 25% of area businesses closed. Stores that were near Wal-mart were “more likely to go out of business eliminating the equivalent of about 300 full time jobs—about as many as Wal-mart initially added to the area.”
An author of that study found that, Wal-mart stores absorb sales from other city stores without significantly expanding the market.” In addition, the study found that there was no increase in retail activity or employment opportunities.
About Wal-mart Free NYC
Wal-mart Free NYC is a coalition of workers, small business owners, community leaders, clergy and elected officials who are committed to increasing economic opportunities, preserving local businesses, and creating more jobs in communities across New York’s five boroughs.
Wal-mart IMPACT STUDIES
“The Impact of an Urban Wal-Mart Store on Area Businesses: An Evaluation of One Chicago Neighborhood’s Experience.” Davis, Julie, David Merriman, Lucia Samayoa, Brian Flanagan, Ron Baiman, and Joe Persky, December 2009. Center for Urban Research and Learning Loyola University Chicago.
Available online at http://luc.edu/curl/pdfs/Media/WalMartReport21010_01_11.pdf.
“The Effects of Wal-mart on Local Labor Markets.” David Neumark, Junfu Zhang, and Stephen Ciccarella. October 2005. Public Policy Institute of California.
Available online at: http://www.businessweek.com/pdfs/2005/david_neumark.pdf
“The Effect of Wal-mart on Businesses in Host Towns and Surrounding Towns in Iowa.” Kenneth Stone. Iowa State University. November 1988.
Available online at: http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/Effect%20of%20Walmart%20-%201988%20paper%20scanned.pdf
