NOW spotlights merchants to avoid

bhk · 07-02-05, 10:28 PM

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs..../1044/BUSINESS

Quote:

Group wants members to avoid spending money at 5 businesses on 'merchants of shame' list.
By GREER JOHNSON
Staff Writer

Published: Saturday, 07/02/05
For many members of the National Organization for Women, buying power means buying less.

At least from certain companies.

Wal-Mart is one merchant on NOW's "merchants of shame" list. NOW created the five-company list to place a spotlight on firms it believes treat women unfairly, especially in terms of pay, promotions to managerial jobs or harassment.

The United States Postal Service, Mitsubishi Motors, Smith Barney and Detroit Edison are the other companies on the list.

"It examines companies that are infringing upon women in the workplace," Olga Vives, NOW's vice president of action, said yesterday as NOW started its three-day convention at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel on West End Avenue.

The nearly 40-year-old women's rights organization expects more than 500 people at its gathering through the holiday weekend.

Dan Fogleman, spokesman for Wal-Mart, said the $285 billion-in-sales retailer is used to critics.

"Some of them are well-meaning and well-intentioned," Fogleman said. "When that's the case, we need to listen. If a critic has an ulterior motive, we need to focus on what Wal-Mart does best."

Fogleman said 40% of Wal-Mart's managers are female.

Most NOW members seem to disagree with Fogleman's assessment.

Liz Funk, a 16-year-old high school senior from Albany, N.Y., and three other women under age 30 led a workshop on consumer feminism dubbed the "Power of the Purse" yesterday afternoon.

"It's about avoiding the businesses that many people don't know about," Funk said. She said Wal-Mart is at the top of the hit list of businesses that feminists should avoid as consumers.

"You just do as much research as you can," Funk said. "Wal-Mart will probably tell you that they're an equal opportunity employer, but I think Wal-Mart is one of the worst."

Wal-Mart is facing a pay and promotion discrimination lawsuit in federal court in California pursued by six current and former female Wal-Mart employees. It has been certified as a class-action case, but Fogleman said Wal-Mart is appealing.

"Six plaintiffs are not representative of women at Wal-Mart," he said.

On other fronts, NOW accuses the United States Postal Service of unsatisfactorily addressing sexual harassment complaints filed by employees. A spokesman at the Postal Service would not comment.

NOW wants women to spend money with companies that treat female employees fairly.

"As a consumer, you have a voice," said Scheherezade Daftary, 27, who participated in the consumer panel yesterday.

"We all need to purchase things," said Erin Matson, president of Minnesota's NOW chapter. "But we need to be aware of which companies are women-friendly businesses."

Detroit Edison sounds like a utility, what are they going to do, not buy electricity?

For the sake of the men of America, let's hope that NOW members are boycotting Victoria's Secret as well...

But I suspect they won't boycott Bill Clinton.

X · 07-02-05, 11:08 PM

Crap. Now I have some cognitive dissonance.

Other than the USPS I either won't or don't have the opportunity to deal with any of them either.

Myster X · 07-02-05, 11:25 PM

Soulds like they're taking lessons from Jessie Jackson.
accuse--->blackmail--->sue

Tsar Chasm · 07-03-05, 02:55 AM

I'm surprised Curves isn't on that list considering the CEO's stance on a woman's right to choose.

DVD Polizei · 07-03-05, 03:25 AM

Just how the hell am I going to get stamps now.

joliom · 07-03-05, 06:42 AM

I love when they publish these lists...it helps me decide where to do all of my shopping.

OldDude · 07-03-05, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhk

Detroit Edison sounds like a utility, what are they going to do, not buy electricity?

It is in fact my utility company. And I have no plans to either light a candle, or curse the darkness. Power to the people, baby.

(Although I have been known to curse them during power outages or when my bill comes.)

al_bundy · 07-03-05, 09:10 AM

what's wrong with wal mart? there are tons of women there who started as associates and are now in management positions

wendersfan · 07-03-05, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al_bundy

what's wrong with wal mart? there are tons of women there who started as associates and are now in management positions

Lies, all lies, I tell you!

USPS? Start living in the real world, ladies.

DodgingCars · 07-05-05, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al_bundy

what's wrong with wal mart? there are tons of women there who started as associates and are now in management positions

And if there was an opening in Hawaii they could transfer there!

General Zod · 07-06-05, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joliom

I love when they publish these lists...it helps me decide where to do all of my shopping.

That's my take on it. I shall now mail my request to smith barney to purchase some mitsubishi stock. Then i'll head to wal-mart and drop 1k on hats.

wendersfan · 07-06-05, 10:34 AM

Quote:

"As a consumer, you have a voice," said Scheherezade Daftary, 27, who participated in the consumer panel yesterday.

First, no, people don't always have a choice. I don't shop at WalMart much simply because I hate going there, but am I supposed to stop mailing things? That's absurd.

Second, Scheherezade? WTF???

nevermind · 07-06-05, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Zod

That's my take on it. I shall now mail my request to smith barney to purchase some mitsubishi stock. Then i'll head to wal-mart and drop 1k on hats.

Thor Simpson · 07-06-05, 10:56 AM

Now I know why they lost all my Christmas mail... it's cause I have a wife!

wendersfan · 07-06-05, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Zod

Then i'll head to wal-mart and drop 1k on hats.

Better yet, spend it on some stamps!

RoyalTea · 07-06-05, 02:02 PM

If I tell the good people at NOW that I'm interested in learning more about their organization, will they FedEx me their literature?

Chew · 07-06-05, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalTea

If I tell the good people at NOW that I'm interested in learning more about their organization, will they FedEx me their literature?

No, .pdf email.

In addition to no USPS, it doesn't cost anything that way.

bhk · 07-06-05, 02:23 PM

Try calling their toll free number. I do that frequently to organizations that I don't like.

kvrdave · 07-06-05, 04:35 PM

I think they picked Wal-mart because it is an easy target that many hate anyway. They actually have a pretty good record for putting women in higher positions.

LiquidSky · 07-06-05, 04:43 PM

Right-wing conservative Christian groups do the same thing. Fucking hippies

Shoveler · 07-06-05, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDude

(Although I have been known to curse them during power outages or when my bill comes.)

You always seem to get a little bitchy at "that time of the month".

wendersfan · 07-06-05, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidSky

Right-wing conservative Christian groups do the same thing. Fucking hippies

I think it's silly when they do it, too.

kvrdave · 07-06-05, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidSky

Right-wing conservative Christian groups do the same thing. Fucking hippies

Harry Potter has sex with Satan while using Procter & Gamble products, and you know it.

LiquidSky · 07-06-05, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvrdave

Harry Potter has sex with Satan while using Procter & Gamble products, and you know it.

Canadian Bacon · 07-06-05, 09:54 PM

Agree with this group, women should get jobs as cooks, they don't discreminate when women take jobs they should

Why only 5? I betcha there are lot more than 5 that are not friendly towards females.

07-03-05, 03:25 AM	#5
DVD Polizei DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Overpricedville, OR Posts: 36,718	Just how the hell am I going to get stamps now. __________________ Blu-ray Titles: ~380 \| HD DVD Titles: ~323 "I don't sell airplane parts. I've never sold airplane parts."

07-03-05, 06:42 AM	#6
joliom DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hawaii Posts: 3,031	I love when they publish these lists...it helps me decide where to do all of my shopping. __________________ My DVD's

07-06-05, 02:02 PM	#16
RoyalTea DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: frass canyon Posts: 10,306	If I tell the good people at NOW that I'm interested in learning more about their organization, will they FedEx me their literature? __________________ A paternalistic attitude that refuses to consider all citizens as responsible is anathema to the democratic ethos.

07-06-05, 02:23 PM	#18
bhk DVD Talk Legend Join Date: May 1999 Location: Right of Atilla The Hun Posts: 19,749	Try calling their toll free number. I do that frequently to organizations that I don't like. __________________ "We are not fighting so that you will offer us something. We are fighting to eliminate you." Hussein Massawi, the former leader of Hezbollah

07-06-05, 04:35 PM	#19
kvrdave DVD Talk God Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 79,107	I think they picked Wal-mart because it is an easy target that many hate anyway. They actually have a pretty good record for putting women in higher positions. __________________ Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. - C.S. Lewis

07-02-05, 11:08 PM	#2
X Administrator Join Date: Oct 1987 Location: AA- Posts: 10,123	Crap. Now I have some cognitive dissonance. Other than the USPS I either won't or don't have the opportunity to deal with any of them either.

07-02-05, 11:25 PM	#3
Myster X Banned Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Democratik People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 22,995	Soulds like they're taking lessons from Jessie Jackson. accuse--->blackmail--->sue

07-03-05, 02:55 AM	#4
Tsar Chasm DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: PDX Metro Posts: 8,951	I'm surprised Curves isn't on that list considering the CEO's stance on a woman's right to choose.

07-03-05, 09:10 AM	#8
al_bundy DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: in da cloud Posts: 26,196	what's wrong with wal mart? there are tons of women there who started as associates and are now in management positions

07-06-05, 10:56 AM	#14
Thor Simpson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 35,014	Now I know why they lost all my Christmas mail... it's cause I have a wife!

07-06-05, 04:43 PM	#20
LiquidSky DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pokey Dot Lounge, Nashville, TN Posts: 8,712	Right-wing conservative Christian groups do the same thing. Fucking hippies Last edited by LiquidSky; 07-06-05 at 04:54 PM.

07-06-05, 09:54 PM	#25
Canadian Bacon DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North of the South Pole, South of the North Pole Posts: 18,291	Agree with this group, women should get jobs as cooks, they don't discreminate when women take jobs they should Why only 5? I betcha there are lot more than 5 that are not friendly towards females.