The war over Walmart heated up Monday as Public Advocate Bill de Blasio blasted it as a job killer, and the company launched a massive ad campaign for a city store.
A report by de Blasio and Hunter College researchers concluded that Walmart store openings kill three jobs for every two they create.
"There's a lot of evidence here that we're going to lose jobs in the end because of Walmart," de Blasio said. "This report proves just how consistent that trend has been around the country."
The report claims Walmart cuts into sales at local stores by up to 40%, and costs taxpayers big bucks when its employees have to apply for public insurance and other benefits.
"The more New Yorkers learn about Walmart, the angrier they're going to be," said de Blasio, who wants zoning laws changed so big-box chains need special approval.
Walmart is eying the planned Gateway II shopping center in East New York, Brooklyn, for its first city store.
Its executives have refused to attend Wednesday's City Council hearing on the chain's plans, but they aren't staying quiet. They launched a major ad blitz and a website Monday in support of a move to the city.
Newspaper, radio and direct mail ads - including one in the Daily News - tout low prices and new jobs and blast "special interests" for trying to block the store.
Source: NY Daily News
Kevin Eason is a freelance editorial cartoonist and Illustrator from New Jersey. His brand of satire covers news events in politics, entertainment, sports and much more. Follow him on Facebook.