In a highly unusual move Monday, Walmart closed 5 stores, citing plumbing problems requiring a 6 month closure being needed for repairs to be made. The closures were made suddenly with as little as 5 hours notice to many of the employees of the pending closures and layoffs. This is a highly unusual move by Walmart when you look at the work being done in the stores through renovations and upgrading to Walmart SuperCenters where contractors and employees were forced to work through the projects without store closures. This raises suspicion that the reason for the store closures may be something other than what Walmart is claiming publicly.
The stores closing are located in the southern tier of the US coast to coast. The stores are located in:
Pico Rivera, CA. 530 employees, were told they will continue to receive regular pay, and benefits for 60 days, along with possibly being transferred to another store.
Midland, TX. 400 employees, were told they would be able to transfer to other stores or, get the compensation packages. With 60 days pay due to the short notice of closing and are eligible will receive a severance pay of one week of pay per year of service. Upon reopening current employees who did not stay with Wal-Mart will have to reapply.
Livingston, Tx. 400 employees, employees will receive two months pay, with some being eligible for severance pay, and also a position at another store which isn't guaranteed.
Tulsa, OK. 400 employees, employees will receive two months pay, with some being eligible for severance pay 1 week per year worked, and also a position at another store which isn't guaranteed.
Brandon, FL. 400-500 employees, who will be able to receive two months pay, severance pay depending on length of service, and possibly a transfer to another store.
It should be noted that the 60 days pay is required by law in the event of a closure without notice and not the benevolence of America's Richest Family. All of the affected stores have had at least 100 plumbing issues documented in the last year claimed by Walmart as the reason for closing. Despite that claim several news reports claim to have contacted local building officials asking if permits have been applied for or, plans have been submitted and none were noted as of yet. Building officials also stated that no building code violations were noted at the locations. In addition no contractors or repair services have been visible at any of the locations closing. Liberty Tax Service who had kiosks in many of the stores were also suddenly told to vacate the building along with the employees on April 13th, just 2 days before the April 15th, IRS Tax Filing Deadline.
Read More About the Real Reason Why The Walmart Stores Are Closing Below The Orange Doodle...
A most likely reason is actually Walmart Union Busting Effort as the company has a well known policy of being anti-union and enjoys paying their employees at a low rate where they qualify for government antipoverty benefits despite the company being owned by America's Richest Family. Many of the Walmart Employees qualify for food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, and subsidized housing, in the amount of $6.2 Billion annually to the US Taxpayers who are in effect subsidizing Walmart's low wages.
The store in Pico Rivera had 23 arrested at a protest on November 13, 2014, in addition just over a year prior it was the first Walmart Store to Stage a Strike! Walmart has previously closed a store in Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada, where a union drive was successful in obtaining certification. Workers in the Tulsa, Midland, and Livingston Walmart stores had enjoyed higher wages than most stores paid due to the Booming Fracking Economy which is hitting the skids. There was no apparent reason found in an extensive search for the Brandon, Florida store also known as the Valrico Walmart may just be a new store opening nearby in the future or as a retaliation for other strike/protest eforts in the Tampa area.
Update: The Tulsa, OK. Store has had Workers Protesting Working Conditions. It has also been the site of numerous Non-Employee Protests.
Another reason which should give us all a good belly laugh comes from the "Conspiracy Theorists" as many of us know Obummer's Gubermint will be holding Operation Jade Helm 2015 and will be rounding up all of the subversives, taking their guns, and transporting them to FEMA Camps for political reeducation or, execution. The Walmart stores are allegedly going to be used as supply centers and detainee transfer centers in Jade Helm 2015. A wise old man once told me, "Show me a man who trusts no one, and I'll show you a man who can't be trusted." This claim is being made by many of those Ultra Right Wing Survivalist Crazies and basically demonstrates exactly what they are capable of if they were allowed to come into power.
Here are some Wing Nut Videos for a good laugh...
Better Duct Tape your Tin Foil Hat on for this one...