Richardson to pressure Wal-Mart on pay, benefits

Gov. Bill Richardson is one of four potential Democratic presidential candidates who will be in Iowa this week to join a union-based group that’s trying to pressure Wal-Mart to offer higher wages and better benefits.

According to the Associated Press, Richardson will be participating in events organized by Wake Up Wal-Mart on Thursday.

The group is planning to visit 19 states in 35 days, according to the article, which was posted on the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Web site. The tour will be in Iowa through the weekend and in New Mexico next week.

The group claims Wal-Mart’s low wages and poor benefits equal government subsidies, because its workers are eligible for programs that include Medicaid and food stamps. Wal-Mart disputes the claims.

Also participating in events in Iowa are that state’s governor, Tom Vilsack, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. Vilsack and Richardson will hold a town hall meeting Thursday in Waterloo, the Associated Press reported.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, also a Democrat, has participated in the group’s events in other states.

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Update, 9 a.m. According to the Albuquerque Journal, Richardson also plans to campaign for a gubernatorial candidate in Iowa and attend the Iowa State Fair. And he plans to have it both ways on Wal-Mart: His campaign says Wal-Mart has taken the appropriate stance on the environment and has put a lot of money into New Mexico’s economy, but Richardson wants to encourage all employers to provide health insurance to employees and pay a living wage.

Not so fast, says Wal-Mart, which told the Journal that it will share the truth with its workers because “We want to make sure they’re informed across Iowa and other key states that the candidates aren’t telling the truth about Wal-Mart.”