(The AFL-CIO issued the following news release on February 22.)
WASHINGTON — We urge the Department of Labor Inspector General to conduct a thorough review of the sweetheart deal between DOL and Wal-Mart that compromises the welfare of Wal-Mart employees. Wal-Mart’s record of repeated violations of child labor, wage and hour and employment discrimination laws clearly shows the company is in no position to receive preferential treatment from the Labor Department. Under this agreement, the fox is guarding the henhouse with DOL playing the role of the fox’s den mother — and it is Wal-Mart workers who will pay the price.
California Representative George Miller should be commended for demanding an investigation into the agreement that gives Wal-Mart greater leeway to continue its mistreatment of workers. We are pleased that state officials are also launching investigations into Wal-Mart’s child labor practices.