Christmas Shopping and the UCC

Hi. Because I am mostly confined to my house I am doing my Christmas shopping on line this year. But I notice the ads for Wal Mart and their low prices $15.00 for an I-Pod nano! I was wondering about the UCC position about Wal Mart and their labor relations. I found this most recent post in Justice and Witness Ministries :http://www.ucc.org/ucnews/octnov2005/justice-and-witness.html
I realize this was written in 2005 but I don't beleive the policy has changed.
It starts out by quoting a UCC member"

"I work for Wal-Mart, writes Edward, a UCC member in California.

"If you have studied their practices," he continues, "you will know how unrealistic they are. Unequal pay for men and women, poor insurance for high costs, imported products at about 80 percent of their merchandise. For one of the giants in the retail world, they have not shown any real care and concern for their employees. Please consider looking into this. You will be as distressed as many of us are."

The UCC had a week of action against Wal Mart in 2005, not a boycot because in some markets Wal Mart is the only store in town just an awarness of their employee practices. Here in New Jersey the closest Wal Mart to Summit is on Route 22 in Watchung and there is one in Manville near where I live.

But, as Rasell makes clear, Wal-Mart's low prices come at a high cost to the company's low-wage, non-organized workforce. "The time has come for the UCC to very visibly support the right of [Wal-Mart] workers to organize for a higher standard of pay and benefits," she says.

'The Wal-Mart Movie' This is a documentary film that is available for congregations.

Later in the article they go one to compare the working conditions of Wal Mart employees to those of Costco employess one of Wal Mart's competitiors and they are better.
Here is the end of the article

"Let's give them the credit, but I would also credit the pressure that's been put on Wal-Mart," Smithline says. "Because that's our goal. We know we're not going to put them out of business, but our goal is to make them a better company."

Rasell says, in the end, she's not ready to say whether or not Wal-Mart workers "should" form a union, but she does believe they should be guaranteed their legal rights to organize, if they so choose.

"We simply want Wal-Mart to take care of its employees," she says. "That's the ultimate goal."

"[It is] the responsibility of multinational corporations and international financial institutions to respect and hold themselves accountable to fundamental human rights, particularly with regard to child labor, employment of minorities, and wages that are adequate for local costs of living;

[It is] the responsibility of workers to organize for collective bargaining with employers regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions, and the responsibility of employers to respect not only worker rights but also workers' dignity, and to create and maintain a climate conducive to the workers' autonomous decision to organize… ."

From the 1997 General Synod resolution, "Affirming Democratic Principles in an Emerging Global Economy."

Also on the UCC web are alternative gifts. I know the board of world fellowship takes care of Christ Church giving but if any individual would like to take on a cause there is a list of places around the world that could use money for good purposes.

Alternative Christmas Giving

Looking for a creative way to celebrate Christmas this year? Alternative Christmas gifts are a meaningful way to give a gift that keeps on giving.

With an Alternative Christmas gift, you honor your loved ones and make a difference in the lives of people around the world, all without a trip to the mall. Giving alternative Christmas gifts ensures that your gift won't sit on a shelf gathering dust, leaves no worries about whether you know what size the recipient wears, and won't be part of the next massive product recall. It's perfect for the person who has "everything" and is sure to bring smiles - it can also make all the difference in the world.

List of giving opportunities for individuals http://www.globalministries.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=839&Itemid=32

Just some ideas for the reason for the season.
Jeannette Brown