Daily Kos

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  •  More than hypocrisy (none / 0)

    They fought Chinese unionization for a while -- they didn't want to set a bad precedent. But they realized they had to cave to please their government/party allies. So when they finally caved, they ensured positive coverage at home on Thanksgiving weeked. Sure, they're not unhappy dealing with a company union in China, and they're hypocrites -- but there's more at work here, I think.
    •  Also a matter of cost (none / 0)

      As I understand it from reading the English language press in CHina while this was going down, this is also an issue of cost. Employers are expected to pay something like 1% of the salaries of the employees working in a company to the union. That money goes to pay for the union, as well as things like health care. And of course, WalMart can't afford 1% of the chicken scratch they pay Chinese retail workers...

      This is the way democracy ends Not with a bomb But with a gavel -Max Baucus

      by emptywheel on Sun Nov 28, 2004 at 06:28:22 PM PDT

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