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13 Steven Greenhouse, "Suits Say Wal-Mart Forces Workers to Toil Offthe Clock," New York Times, June 2S, 2002. Supermarkets aze the only retail sector where significant numbers of workers are unionized. They are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union and, unlike most retail employees, have incomes capable of supporting a family. Although Vermont supermazkets are for the most part non-union, the independent stores and regional chains that operate in the state (including Shaw's, Hannaford, Price Chopper, and P&C Foods) either have unionized stores in neighboring states or are influenced by the prevailing union wage level. As a result, the state's full- time supermarket employees earn about $14 an hour and have benefits like health insurance and pensions, according the UFCW's northeast regional office. 14 Town of North Elba Planning Board, "Statement of Findings and Decision: Proposed Wal-Mart Store," January 9, 1996.5 2 ~ Notes ' Lyson's article and much of the data cited here can be found in more detail at: htto://www otvermont.org/publications/HomegrownEconomy/Homegrown%20Economxpdf z "Civic Economics," Austin Unchained, Austin, Texas, October 2003. ' "The Economic hnpact of Localty Owned Business vs Chains: A Case Study in Mid-coast Maine," New Rules Project, Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), Minneapolis, Minnesota. s`P""'b" 30°'• a httpJ/www.livingeconomies.org~localfirst/whylocalfirst s ILSR maintains several content-rich web sites; publishes electronic newsletters and books, including The Home Tmvn Advantage; Hoiv to Defend Your Main Street Against Chain Stores and Wiry It Matters; and has advised small business groups, community organizations, and policymakers in cities and towns nationwide. For more information, contact ILSR at 1313 Sth St. SE, Minneapolis, MN SS41 S, Tel: 612-379-3815, Web: www.newTUtes.or~ C