Labor Laws

Is Wal-Mart turning blue -- blue enough to pull President Obama's healthcare chestnuts out of the fire? If the nation's largest employer is signing on to the president's agenda, his efforts to pass healthcare reform will have won an important ally. The company employs 1.4 million "associates," has stores in more than 400 congressional districts and maintains a powerful lobbying operation in Washington. For years, Wal-Mart has been a poster child for low wages, skimpy health insurance and conservative red-state values.

After repeated warnings, California's labor commissioner filed suit this week against nine carwash businesses, accusing them of violating registration and employment laws. Commissioner Angela Bradstreet sued the businesses Tuesday, saying they had failed to register with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. A similar suit was filed against another carwash business in April.