On my ninth site visit, I stood outside the Wal Mart Distribution Center. I couldn't go inside because I don't work there, but i stood as close as I could get. Really I stood in the parking lot of Time Warner Cable because I was paying my cable bill. Looking at the giant of a building, all I could see was trucks and a building. It really does block the landscape and it can be seen from miles. There wasn't much movement outside of the building but I'm sure they were busy inside. It was cold that day and brisk for it was on the same day I went and visited Bates Mill and the Veteran's Memorial. Again, I wasn't there long because there was only so much of a big white building one can take in. So after I got my fill, I turned tail and sped off. Historical Significance
The Wal Mart DC has only been in Lewiston for a couple of years, but I believe that within those couple of years, It has made history in Lewiston, both bad and good. The plans for the distribution center were first talked about in 2000, then in January of 2002, Wal Mart got a go ahead to start building the complex and it finally opened in June 2005. The building is 48,000 square feet and employees 250 people. Hourly rates start at $13 to $15 depending on work history. I have a few friends that work there and they have way more money then I do. One week, my best friend brought 
home a 2000 dollar paycheck, for working overtime plus his hourly rate. However, from there I hear that the work is tedious, and is hard plus the business doesn't treat them so well. By this I mean, they work under very harsh guidelines, one mess-up and you are fired, plus they are timed very strictly on their breaks. You are supposed to work a 8 hour shift but I have known my friends to be there for 15 hours. You can't leave until you are told to or until all your work is done.
home a 2000 dollar paycheck, for working overtime plus his hourly rate. However, from there I hear that the work is tedious, and is hard plus the business doesn't treat them so well. By this I mean, they work under very harsh guidelines, one mess-up and you are fired, plus they are timed very strictly on their breaks. You are supposed to work a 8 hour shift but I have known my friends to be there for 15 hours. You can't leave until you are told to or until all your work is done. The greatest thing that the distribution center has done for Lewiston and its surroundings businesses is give an economic push and give many jobs to the people. Today, jobs in Maine are dwindling by the hour and getting a job is very hard. But the Wal Mart in Auburn, is one of the busiest Wal Marts in New England because of the large area is services. .This Wal Mart alone services roughly 15 towns. Some of those towns include, Oxford, Paris (these towns have a Wal Mart but it isn't large enough) Auburn, Lewiston, Sabattus, Durham, Minot, Mechanic Falls, Turner, Monmouth, Litchfield, and other towns. Because of this Wal Mart, this DC was built and has been very busy since.
Ever since the WMDC has come to town, it seems as if Lewiston has been looking better. More small businesses are thriving and city development has been improving. A lot of people have been flocking to the WMDC for jobs and higher paid wages but the DC has a high turn around rate because not to many people are used to working hard. (I like to call the city of Lewiston, the city of Welfare). The area around the DC was improved as well. A lot of big business have moved in around it, namely Time Warner, Gagne and Sons, and various other residential business. The roads have improved greatly as well in and around the DC. Before, going down these roads one had to swerve to miss a pothole every five feet.
However with all these good things that the WMDC has done for Lewiston, it has come under criticism. People are angry because of the 16.7 million dollar subsides deal i
t got from the State of Maine. I say big whoop, this business has done a lot for the town and state by creating jobs. Also, some have complained because at first, the DC was offering jobs that started at 8.50 cents. Again, big whoop, it is still more then minimum wage. However most people are mad and say these things about the DC because they say that WM has broke its promise on providing high paying wages. I got all this information from an article by a very one sided reporter.
t got from the State of Maine. I say big whoop, this business has done a lot for the town and state by creating jobs. Also, some have complained because at first, the DC was offering jobs that started at 8.50 cents. Again, big whoop, it is still more then minimum wage. However most people are mad and say these things about the DC because they say that WM has broke its promise on providing high paying wages. I got all this information from an article by a very one sided reporter. To this reporter and these people, I say get a life and shut up. These are probably the people that are well off and have secured high paying jobs. They don't want to realize how many people now have jobs thanks to the DC and how many people have gotten out of a financial burden/crisis. These are most likely the same people that didn't vote for the casino. (I will talk about the casino in my closing paragraph/statement).
In all, I'm glad that the WMDC came to town because it helped many people. I don't see the WMDC going anywhere but rather enlarging or possible building another building.
Resources: My mind, Lewiston Sun Journal, http://walmartwatch.com/reports/shameless/shameless_lewiston
No comments:
Post a Comment