Do they still use un-paid baggers at military commissaries?

Question

I hate Wal-Mart as much as the next guy and in fact I never shop there, for various reasons. But the latest news that they use unpaid teens to bag groceries in Mexico, instead relying on tips... I recall shopping at McChord Air Base in the 1980's and the baggers were also not paid. They relied on tips. Do military bases still use this practice and if so, why can't Wal-Mart?
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McChord is in Washington state

Answer 1

i'm not sure if they still do but as far into the mid to late 90's they still did when i shopped at the commissary at Jax Naval Air Station.....i hate Wal-Mart too and like you I have reasons for not shopping there (mostly becasue its inconvenient and time-consuming) and i didnt even know they had them in mexico

Answer 2

I was shocked when I heard about that also!

Yes they do.

I talked to a close friend who was a service brat, he said they usually use dependants, and they get so much in tips they don't mind. He did it as a teenager and thought it was a great idea, he made more with tips than having a regular job.

This is not just in Mexico, but PXs, Base Exchanges and commissaries all over.

Answer 3

Yes, baggers are self-employed and work on tips alone. But don't feel sorry for them. I don't know how much they make exactly, but they have a waiting list for "potential baggers" they're not hurting- that's for sure!