California Group Protests At Wal-Mart Media Session
Citizens' Group Says It Wants Company To Offer Community Benefits Contract
TheHometownChannel.com - April 5, 2005

In the wake of numerous controversies surrounding Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the company began a two-day media conference Tuesday in an effort to spruce up its image -- but not without a protest.

A group from California was among those who showed up to protest the business practices of the world's largest retailer. The Inglewood, Calif., group recently fought to keep a Wal-Mart Supercenter out of their city.

But the Inglewood group said they are now worried that Wal-Mart is trying to build in their community once again.

The group met at the Embassy Suites in Bentonville to ask Wal-Mart to sign a community benefits agreement. The agreement would legally bind Wal-Mart to offer a living wage for its employees, to provide better health care and to pay more attention to the environment.

Group members asked to meet with Wal-Mart Chief Executive Officer Lee Scott to talk about the agreement. However, Scott denied the request.

Jerome Horton, a member of the Inglewood citizens' group, said he attended the media session to make sure Wal-Mart is not just talking about changing its image. Horton said he wants the company to actually do something about it.

"We are hopeful today," Horton said. "We are hopeful that they are sincere and (that) they are willing to work with the community ... and (that) they are willing to find real solutions to the real problems they create."

A Wal-Mart representative said he has never heard of a community benefits contract. He also said that there are other businesses in Inglewood, such as Costco and Target, that are not required to sign any community contracts.

The representative, who withheld his name, said most Wal-Mart stores across the country pay twice the minimum wage to employees and offer benefits to people who work part time.