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City Council Speaker Christine Quinn speaks at a press conference on Wednesday to protest Wal-Mart's alleged attempts to set up a store in New York City. Wal-Mart has denied such claims. (Angela Wang/The Epoch Times)
NEW YORK—A coalition of elected officials, unions, and community leaders said Wal-Mart should “fugghedabout it” for alleged attempts in trying to start up a store in Brooklyn.
The retail giant allegedly has been attempting to scout out a location at the Gateway II shopping center in Brooklyn, which would enable them to “evade critical community and city council approval,” the coalition said in front of City Hall on Wednesday.
According to the group, Wal-Mart has been secretly the tenant of Gateway II so it could avoid getting a permit—something that might otherwise prove difficult, as different city officials in the past have prevented the company from setting up shop in the city.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said that one of the many reasons why the company has been rejected is because their stores would “cannibalize” communities rather than support them.
“Across the nation, Wal-Mart has failed to meet that standard,” Quinn said. “They lead the way in the worst worker-related litigation in the country and if they plan to do business in New York City, they better get ready for a fight.”
The reason for the company's secrecy is because they are unfair toward workers and frequently bust up unions, the coalition said.
Communities are adversely impacted by the stores because they pay workers low wages, forcing them to rely on welfare, the coalition said. As a result, many smaller business chains are forced out of the neighborhoods, preventing residents from getting quality jobs.
At first, the company provides numerous jobs but those soon “erode" just like the "American manufacturing base by becoming the single largest customer in China."
Even though several thousand New Yorkers are unemployed, Wal-Mart should not be an answer to remedy that problem, said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
“What we have seen from Wal-Marts across the country is a disregard for labor standards and industry conduct that won't help our retail economy rise out of this recession,” he said.
The company also has a history of violating labor laws, said Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum. The company is “facing the largest ever class section lawsuit for discriminating against women,” he said.
“The lawsuit is filed by 1 million former Wal-Mart employees. Women are paid less than men for the same jobs and women receive fewer promotions than male counterparts.”
Wal-Mart disputes the 1 million figure, saying that the suit covers under half that number of women.
Approximately 4,500 Brooklyn residents have signed a petition “saying to Wal-Mart … fugghedabout it,” NY Communities For Change Brooklyn, East New York Chapter leader Pat Boone said.
A spokesperson with Wal-Mart stated that the store has no plans to open a store within the five boroughs, but that a store there could provide benefits to residents of the city.
“While we still do not have a project to announce anywhere within the five boroughs, we know that New Yorkers want to shop and work at Wal-Mart,” stated Steven Restivo, the director of Communications for the company on Wednesday in an e-mail.
“With the city facing double-digit unemployment and a need for more affordable grocery options, we continue to evaluate potential opportunities here in an effort to be part of the solution.”
