Coalition Demands Bill de Blasio Block Walmart in Astoria

Ross Barkan

?w=635&h=423

An anti-Walmart coalition is demanding that the de Blasio administration keep the big box store out of a new development in Astoria, Queens.

Walmart Free-NYC, in conjunction with the city councilman representing Astoria, recently announced their efforts to combat a potential Walmart–and now the group is upping the ante by sending a letter to Mr. de Blasio and his top deputies. The group is arguing that Walmart, criticized on the left for its resistance to unionization and paying higher wages, should continue to stay away from New York City.

“In our communities, low-wage worker organizing has intensified because more families are struggling to survive. At Astoria Cove, your administration can raise standards for job creation and set a new model for development, but only if Alma Realty is instructed to keep out low-road employers like Walmart and bring in retailers with a better track record on job creation,” wrote Audrey Sasson, the director of Walmart Free-NYC, in a letter obtained by the Observer.

“Much of the low-wage worker organizing in our city is responding to the negative impact of Walmart on our economy. Walmart, the largest employer in the country, has created a race to the bottom, resulting in lower wages, fewer benefits, and less security for workers here and across the country. The harm of Walmart has long been seen and felt,” she continued.



Read more at http://observer.com/2014/08/coalition-demands-bill-de-blasio-block-walmart-in-astoria/#ixzz39d43eCOg