Daley: Get Over Walmart Gripes
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 | Updated 1:19 PM CST
AP
Walmart has accepted a $700,000 grant to create "green jobs" for ex-offenders.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says labor leaders should end their opposition to Wal-Mart expanding in the city and acknowledge the need to create employment opportunities.
"People need jobs. Labor had better understand that. It’s something that they better come to grips with because people do need jobs," Daley said.
He praised Wal-Mart, calling the world's largest retailer a "great corporate citizen" that is responding to concerns about wages and health care that have fueled union opposition. Daley expressed his sentiments after accepting a $700,000 Wal-Mart grant to create "green jobs" for ex-offenders.
Daley said it is up to residents to push their aldermen to approve the building of a Wal-Mart on a former industrial site on Chicago's South Side.
Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon has threatened to revive the big box minimum wage ordinance vetoed by Daley if the City Council approves a second Wal-Mart.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago
Posted Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 - 11:44 PM CST
