The Progressive Caucus of the New York City Council opposes the building of a Walmart in New York City because the company’s business strategies are counter to at least three of our founding principles:
1. It has been well-publicized that Walmart traditionally pays low wages, provides poor benefits and has anti-union policies.
Conversely, the Progressive Caucus supports an economic policy focused on the creation and preservation of living-wage and prevailing-wage jobs with adequate benefits, leave, and security to support a family.
2. Studies have shown that Walmart’s “supercenter” approach destroys small businesses and jobs when it opens up in urban neighborhoods, threatening locally-owned businesses who have served our community for generations.
In contrast, the Progressive Caucus supports strong, vibrant, diverse neighborhoods with the physical, social, cultural and economic infrastructure that sustains healthy communities.
3. Walmart is currently facing the largest employment discrimination class-action lawsuit in American history for allegations that it systematically discriminates against women in wages and promotions. Additionally, Walmart has also paid millions of dollars for claims of racial discrimination.
On the contrary, the Progressive Caucus is committed to full civil rights for all New Yorkers regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or physical disability.
