New York City Tries To Keep Wal-Mart Out

The New York City Council passes a bill aimed at grocers making it harder for Wal-Mart to open a store in the city.

1 minute read

August 22, 2005, 8:00 AM PDT

"This year, the City Council refused to grant a zoning variance for what would have been the first [Wal-Mart] in Queens, citing the pay and benefits Wal-Mart gives its employees... And last week the City Council voted 46-1 to require all large food retailers to offer a minimum level of healthcare benefits."

The bill aims to get all "large food sellers to contribute to healthcare at the same level as the grocery chains that spent $2.50 to $3 per hour on such coverage for each employee."

"...Wal-Mart has about 34,000 employees in New York state, where it has 99 stores, including 30 'supercenters,' and the recent developments have not discouraged the company from looking to increase those totals by getting their first store in the city, Masten said."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Read the full story: Wal-Mart Hard Sell in Big Apple

Sunday, August 21, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

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