Unlikely Bedfellows: Labor Union and Nations largest Retailer Unite for Lower Health Insurance.

Wal-Mart the nation’s largest retailer has often been sited for providing less than an adequate number of its employees’ access to affordable health insurance. Not only is this changing as Wal-Mart attempts to improve its image, it has recently formed an unlikely alliance with one of the retailers strongest critics; The Service Employees International Union. The two groups started a coalition to exert pressure on politicians to develop a practical plan to lower healthcare costs for businesses and consumers alike, and to bring about affordable health insurance for all American workers.

The coalition, called Better Healthcare Together announced a short time ago that its support is growing. At a recent forum several other large employers added their names to the roster of those companies committed to finding a way to work with federal officials and insurance companies to find a path towards lower cost health insurance. At the meeting it was announced that in addition to AT&T, Kelly Services, and Intel, all of whom became members earlier this year, Embarq Corp., General Mills Inc., Maersk Line, Manpower Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc., and RR Donnelley have all thrown in with the coalition.

As the power and influence of the organization grows, other labor unions such as the Communications Workers of America have joined, as have several well known “Think Tanks” including The Center for American Progress and The Committee for Economic Development.

While the coalition has yet to provide any kind of detailed plan, its goal is clear, to provide more affordable health benefits to more employees.

The Group has also received applause from Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Ed Randle of Pennsylvania both of whom have been pushing mandated low-cost health insurance for all citizens of their respective states. In an interview Schwarzenegger stated that a coalition that unites parties traditionally at odds like labor unions and big business will have to get politicians to take notice when it comes to healthcare reform.

Despite being cofounders of the group a spokesman for Service Employees International said it does not plan to suspend its funding of its Wal-Mart Watch campaign which was started in response to those that felt that Wal-Mart’s medical benefits were not fair to all of it employees. Despite making improvements such as lowering premiums across the board and loosening eligibility requirements, as of this writing still less than half of Wal-Mart's 1.3 million employees participate in its benefit program.