Let's assume just for the sake of argument that Walmart really did decide to close five stores due to widespread plumbing problems and not--as the UFCW alleges on behalf of employees of one of the stores--to muzzle activist workers. I don't think anyone has really considered this, but if Walmart is telling the truth, the world's largest retailer has a severe case of systemic dysfunction.
Think about it, folks. If Walmart is telling the truth, it didn't even bother to get permits for this kind of work in advance. According to WFTS-TV in Tampa, there is nada, zip, zero evidence that anyone obtained permits for the five stores in question. Indeed, when a building inspector went to one of the closed stores--in Midland, Texas--offering to help with the permits, he was actually turned away.
If you believe Walmart's account, officials in Bentonville knew about these problems for some time, didn't bother to address them until now, and only gave their employees six hours' notice. If that's the case, then if Walmart is telling the truth, it has tacitly admitted to a level of dysfunction that should never be tolerated out of any publicly-traded company, let alone a Dow component. Even though the Waltons have controlling interest, they wouldn't be able to blow off the demands for heads to roll.
Of course, it's obvious that Walmart is lying to cover up the real story--though it's not clear exactly what that story is yet. But I thought I'd point out that this wouldn't end well for Walmart even if it were telling the truth.