Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Why did the striking workers walk out of their jobs?

2. According to the article, what is a problem facing employers nationwide?

3. What part of their health care benefits are the California workers currently responsible for?

4. How is Wal-Mart involved in this strike?

5. Why does Wal-Mart have an advantage over other grocery stores?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Should representatives from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union agree to pay something toward health care? Or should the grocery stores continue to pay for their workers' medical care as a benefit of employment?

2. Should candidates running for president in 2004 address health care issues? Research some of the Democratic candidate health care plans-- Do any of them address the problems in the health care system?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.