Class Clash: NYC and Walmart

Back home in Staten Island, one thing that I've noticed for a long time is that, despite the prevalence of its commercials on TV, there is no Walmart in New York City. I was never really sure why, but I was vaguely aware that it had something to do with Walmart's reputation of taking terrible care of its employees and unions in the city picketing until any notion of Walmart being able to get a foothold there dissolved. Its last big effort was an attempt to get a location in a mall that was being constructed in Brooklyn, but no financial agreement could be reached. I was surprised to learn, however, that while NYC's previous mayor and Hopkins alum, Michael Bloomberg, supported the retailer's right to open a location in the city, our current mayor, Bill DeBlasio, is in opposition.

Previously, DeBlasio and other Dems have spoken against Walmart opening a location in NYC on the grounds that the retailer takes away "good jobs" and competes with small businesses, while creating many low-paying jobs that inevitably force the government to subsidize workers' incomes with welfare. However, I think there is also merit to looking at the other side of the coin: while middle class individuals and those workers that can afford to be members of large unions or special-interest groups might oppose Walmart on the grounds of not paying their workers enough or allowing them to organize, it still is the largest retailer in the nation, and one of its largest employers; this op-ed in the NY Post makes the case that Walmart provides jobs to areas that may not have many available, and provides cheap goods and services to middle- and low-income families who may not be able to afford much else. It may also serve to revitalize poorer neighborhoods economically by serving as "the “anchor” of economic expansion plans, such as new shopping centers that also house small businesses and a myriad of franchises." I for one think the author has a point, but I wouldn't be personally affected by any decision regarding the matter; I'd still be able to use Walmart pricing in many price-match deals at existing retailers anyway. Those most affected would probably be individuals without much income in need of a job or cheap goods, and I think Walmart would fill that role despite the opposition levied against it.

What do you think?