Wal-Mart provides a better life for all

This is in response to some of the recent letters to the editor. I am compelled today to write this letter in response because I have nearly 300 associates who demand that I do so.

I am a 19-year associate with Wal-Mart. I started as an hourly associate -- you know, the ones who they claim are mistreated or are not compensated fairly. I would have to ask them if they have ever worked for Wal-Mart or know anyone who had. They shared some opinions based on things they have read, and we all know you shouldn’t believe everything you read. But here are a few facts that I would like to share.

Wal-Mart has more than 1.3 million associates worldwide and is the largest private employer in the world. Our company founder Sam Walton gave us three basic principles: Do business by respect for the individual, service to our customers, and by striving for excellence.

Did you know that 65 to 70 percent of our managers were once hourly associates and we have tremendous opportunities for growth? Here is a list of some of our benefits that are available to our associates:

Competitive wages

Profit sharing

401K

Stock ownership/stock loan program

Paid vacations and holidays

A discount card

Medical and dental coverage

Life insurance

Accidental death coverage

Short and long term disability coverage

Free confidential counseling and assistance

Scholarship bonuses

Childcare discounts

Wal-Mart empowers its associates to serve the needs of their communities through the Good Works Initiative. Last year associates of the company’s more than 3,200 facilities raised and contributed more than $96 million to charitable organizations. In Oak Harbor we gave over $40,000 to charitable organizations in our community.

In Mr. Sam’s book, “Made in America,” he tells the secrets of our success. We’re all working together — that’s the secret! And we will lower the cost of living for everyone, not just in America, but we’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better lifestyle, a better life for all. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished; we’ve just begun.

I am proud to have met Sam Walton and I am proud of my associates in Oak Harbor, and I am proud to call myself a Wal-Mart associate.

Greg Boynton is store manager at Oak Harbor Wal-Mart

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