Young Signs On to Defend Wal-Mart

Former United Nations ambassador and Atlanta mayor Andrew Young will be the public spokesman for a group backed by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. that defends the world’s largest retailer against mounting attacks from critics.

Working Families for Wal-Mart is expected to announce today that Young will be the chairman of its steering committee, which was formed in December to counter charges from two union-backed groups that are pressuring Wal-Mart to raise wages and benefits. Young said he would speak out and write articles in defense of the company.