Grannies Rage at Wal-Mart

The Raging Grannies' political songs set to familiar tunes called attention to Wal-Mart's union-busting, tolerance of sweatshop labor, and other abuses with, outside the Wal-Mart at the Waterworks mall in Fox Chapel on Saturday, February 7.  While they sang, Grannies Mimi Yahn, Carol Rosenberger, Edith Bell and Mary King handed out information sheets on Wal-Mart to passing shoppers.

The event was originally planned as part of a day of action against Wal-Mart in the US and Canada.  The bigger Day of Action is now being rescheduled for the end of March or April, but the Grannies were determined to act against Wal-Mart in Pittsburgh now.

As the Raging Grannies' leaflet points out, Wal-Mart barely pays its employees poverty wages, and makes it difficult for them to qualify for healthcare and other benefits. Employees have reported being forced to illegally work unpaid overtime.  Wal-Mart has also been accused of working with vendors who employ illegal immigrants so that illegal workers can be forced to work extra hours for free.  Additionally, Wal-Mart cuts costs on
clothing by buying from companies that contract out work to sweatshops overseas.

When a Wal-Mart moves into a town neighboring businesses, trying to cut costs in order to compete, often resort to cutting employee healthcare benefits, cutting wages, and laying off workers.  In this way a Wal-Mart can lower the standard of living of all workers around it - and Wal-Mart's are becoming ubiquitous.

"All across America, Wal-Mart chews up unions, it chews up local economies,
it chews up the environment, it chews up decent wages and basic human rights." said Mimi Yahn, speaking to the to a small group of onlookers gathered on the sidewalk, near the Wal-Mart entrance, and shoppers passing by.

The Grannies sang songs like "Wal-Mart Sucks," to the tune of "Three Blind Mice," and "Found a Wal-Mart," to the tune of "Found a Peanut."  ("Found a pink slip." the second verse goes.)  Many curious or interested shoppers took more information.

The Raging Grannies plan to participate in the National Day of Action in the spring, and encourage others to participate and support them.

Patricia Lietz