Big Box Retailers Punished

In a “ground breaking” new ordinance within the city of Chicago, big retailers like Walmart and Target, have been court ordered to pay employees $10 per hour + benefits. Walmart and Target say they may cancel plans to build stores in Chicago as a result. Smaller retailers will be unaffected. Interestingly, according to the Chicago Sun Times…the view of several African American alderman:

Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd) said she “resents outside forces manipulating our community,’’ especially when it is “unions that have not been fair to us,’’ she said.
(It should be noted Walmart has fought unionizing of their employees.)

Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th) said he finds it “amazing’’ that his colleagues are willing to ‘take the risk’’ and hope that Wal-Mart and Target are bluffing. “When it comes to the West Side, ‘Let’s gamble.’ They’re willing to gamble with my side of town.’’

A Poem about the situation:

I'm hoping for a legal solution,

Like some court saying it violates the constitution.

Meanwhile, I bet this stops

WalMart and Target from building new shops

Inside the city proper.

Our suburbs will welcome the shoppers.

Poem by John Enright Sr.