Community Cool to Gray/Walmart Proposal for 2 More Stores in DC

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)DC community groups reacted with dismay and consternation to yesterday’s surprise announcement by Mayor Vincent Gray of two more proposed Walmart sites in the District. The two new sites – one in Ward 4 at South Dakota Ave and Riggs Rd NE, the other in Ward 7 at the Skyland Shopping Center – bring the proposed Walmart location count to six. Community groups worried about the impact of the giant retailer on their neighborhoods and complained there’s has been no opportunity for public input on the new sites. “Mayor Gray, much like Adrian Fenty before him, seems to prefer back room deals with big corporations and developers, to a community led, transparent process,” said Dyana Forester, with the Living Wages, Healthy Communities Coalition. And despite promises during community meetings after their initial announcement of four proposed locations in DC, Walmart has thus far refused to sit down with the community and negotiate an agreement. “Instead of a transparent process, DC residents have been asked to rely on empty promises from Mayor Gray and Walmart about a Community Benefits Agreement that is being negotiated behind closed doors,” said Yukiea Sheptard, a Ward 7 resident and former Walmart associate. “I know what it is really like to work at Walmart, and we need an enforceable agreement to hold them accountable.” Last month Walmart abruptly and unilaterally announced that new part-time workers, defined as those working under 24 hours a week, would no longer receive any health insurance coverage. They also announced dramatic increases to the cost of health care coverage for those associates still allowed to purchase their coverage. “DC residents deserve better than low wages, unaffordable health coverage, and broken promises,” said James LeBlanc with the Re-Entry Network for Returning Citizens, “we continue to call on Walmart to sign a strong, enforceable Community Benefits Agreement, and we call on Mayor Gray to stand up with DC residents, and tell Walmart that if they will not meet the standards of our city, they cannot open stores here.” - report by Mike Wilson; photo: Respect DC press conference earlier this year (by Adam Wight)