Wal-Mart's China restructuring hits road block

Wal-Mart’s plans to restructure its large Chinese work force hit a stumbling block amid objections from China’s state-backed All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the Wall Street Journal reported. Wal-Mart last week said it would trim a level of management, affecting 2.5%, or 1,400, of its employees. They are being asked to relocate to other store outlets or face pay cuts. The move angered local union leaders, who asked Wal-Mart to hold off implementing the plan. They also requested meetings between both sides. Wal-Mart said that it is keeping the union and employees informed. China’s labor laws require companies to consult trade unions a month before implementing large-scale layoffs. Wal-Mart insists its restructuring moves aren’t layoffs.