Walmart shoppers were greeted by protesters outside the company's store on Sheridan Drive Friday morning.
Members of the Coalition for Economic Justice and organized labor called on Walmart to provide its workers with full-time employment and better wages and benefits. Amherst Town Councilmember Mark Manna says he wants taxpayers to know "the real cost of low prices." On average police are called to the Walmart store once a day, which totals about $150,000 annually, Manna said.
"They call for slip and falls. They call for any little traffic issue. And if a shoplifter steals a $10 toy that Walmart bought in China for 50 cents we spend thousands of dollars prosecuting that theft. Walmart doesn't pay for that, Amherst taxpayers pay for that. And it's time that Walmart pays their fair share in taxes."
According to Manna, Walmart received a property tax exemption from Erie County that will save the company $128,000 over 10 years on its Sheridan Drive Super Center.
The store manager was unavailable to comment.