Wal-Mart is the world's largest and most profitable retailer, with record of intimidating workers who try to organize, destroying small retailers, and bringing down area retail wages through its predatory practices.

You can help stop Wal-Mart's predatory practices!  The Chicago City Council will vote on May 26th to decide whether or not Wal-Mart will be allowed into the city.  Our goal for May 26th is that the City Council require that Wal-Mart to sign a Community Benefits Agreement as a condition for entering the Chicago market. The majority of Aldermen are undecided on this issue.

With your help, they can make the right decision, and we can win! Contact your Alderman immediately through email, fax or phone and urge them to reject Wal-Mart, unless the company agrees to sign a Community Benefits Agreement.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As you contemplate voting on the two proposed Wal-Mart sites for the city of Chicago on May 26th, I urge you to demand the highest standard of accountability for this corporation. There is mounting evidence from across the country that Wal-Mart's renowned low prices come at a steep price for American workers and communities:

* Wal-Mart has a corporate policy that prohibits and often fires workers as they seek union representation. * Wal-Mart's presence in a community triggers a "race to the bottom" in which competitors are forced to mimic its practices by lowering wages and cutting benefits. * Wal-Mart forces local small businesses to shutdown as they are unable to compete against low prices acquired under unfair and questionable business practices. * Because Wal-Mart underpays and provides inadequate health care benefits for its workers, many are receiving public assistance. In the state of Georgia it has been revealed that many children in the state's child health care program are children of Wal-Mart workers. * Wal-Mart threatens manufacturing jobs in the United States when its suppliers have to outsource or move production offshore in order come up with the cheapest possible product for Wal-Mart.

In view of these disturbing facts, I urge you to vote for a Community Benefits Agreement that sets a minimum standard of conduct for Wal-Mart. As the world's largest and most profitable retailer, Wal-Mart must set the standard for wages and benefits or other companies will be forced to lower their standards in order to compete. Chicago has a long history of demanding corporate accountability, as exemplified by passage of the Living Wage Ordinance. The Community Benefits Agreement is the only way the City of Chicago can bring accountability to Wal-Mart. This agreement will, at a minimum, commit Wal-Mart to: a) pay a living wage and offer affordable health benefits to its workers; b) hire a high percentage of its workers from the community; c) not interfere with the right of workers to organize; d) disavow predatory pricing schemes that undercut local businesses.

I am confident that upon review of all the facts surrounding Wal-Mart, you will act to safeguard the interests of the people of Chicago by rejecting the Wal-Mart proposal, unless it requires that the company sign a Community Benefits Agreement.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 11, 2004