Walmart last week pulled out of plans to build six stores and create 1800 much needed retail jobs in Washington D.C. after the city council passed a law that unless large retail stores paid a minimum wage 50% above the U.S. minimum wage, they wouldn’t be allowed to build their stores in the city.
Non-union Walmart was the only store meeting the ordinance’s required stipulations. Go, Figure.
It turns out according to the Patriot Post, that the hypocrites in Washington D.C. pay their workers less than what they asked Walmart to pay. Really?
Excerpt:
The retail giant took a tongue-lashing from city council members for denouncing the city’s Large Retailer Accountability Act, which would have required Walmart to pay employees a minimum wage of $12.50 per hour.
After all, if the world’s largest retailer wanted to put down roots inside the District, then they needed to pay their “fair share.” Walmart pulled out, instead.
But NBC reports that the city doesn’t even pay their own employees the aforementioned “living wage.” In fact, some custodians and maintenance workers make only $11.75 per hour while a clerk at the University of the District of Columbia earns even less — just $10.40 per hour.
So I think,
If you are a politician extolling the virtues of a living wage, make sure the government employees over whom you preside are making a living wage.
Consider it another case study of government hypocrisy: “Do as I say, not as I do.”