Mayor Richard Daley says labor leaders should end their opposition to Walmart expanding in the city and acknowledge the need to create employment opportunities.
Mayor Richard Daley says labor leaders should end their opposition to Walmart expanding in the city and acknowledge the need to create employment opportunities. Daley on Wednesday praised Walmart, calling the world’s largest retailer a "great corporate citizen" that is responding to concerns about wages and health care that have fueled union opposition. Daley expressed his sentiments after accepting a $700,000 Walmart grant to create "green jobs" for ex-offenders. Daley said it is up to residents to push their aldermen to approve the building of a Walmart on a former industrial site on Chicago’s South Side. Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon has threatened to revive the big box minimum wage ordinance vetoed by Daley if the City Council approves a second Walmart. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.