John Petro

Wal-Mart’s PR Buzz Kill: Wal-Mart Kills Jobs

Wal-Mart launched a new public relations campaign on Monday to build support for a New York City store, including radio and print ads, direct mailers, and a new city-specific website. The effort is the work of Mayor Bloomberg’s former campaign manager, Bradley Tusk, who was hired by Wal-Mart last November.

But Tusk’s job just got a lot tougher. New York City Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio released a report yesterday that concludes that Wal-Mart destroys more jobs than it creates. For every job at a new Wal-Mart store, 1.4 retail jobs are lost in the surrounding community.

Facts like these can make things difficult for Wal-Mart, which often argues that the jobs they create are more important than the low wages they pay. In any case, you see no mention of job creation on Wal-Mart’s New York City website. On the other hand, you will find no less than six statements of support from Bloomberg spokesperson Andrew Brent.

Wal-Mart stores destroy jobs, increase poverty, and push down wages in the community. When you add in their dismal record of labor law compliance and the largest sexual discrimination lawsuit in US history, it’s surprising that even Mayor Bloomberg would go out of the way to express his support.

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Posted at 2:57 PM, Jan 13, 2011 in Urban Affairs
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