Page 25 - atoday

BUSINESS A25
Thursday 21 January 2016

Wal-Mart to give pay raises to most of its workers

A. D’INNOCENZIO ing a six-month training likely pay more than dis- non-entry level hourly pay cally move up to the new
AP Retail Writer program. Then last June, counters like Wal-Mart. But bands. So specialists like minimum.
NEW YORK (AP) — The vast Wal-Mart said it would raise Wal-Mart’s entry level pay deli sales associates will — Workers who are at or
majority of Wal-Mart’s U.S. starting wages for more is above the $9.26 aver- make between $10.50 and above their maximum pay
employees will get raises than 100,000 U.S. depart- age hourly pay for cashiers $18.81 per hour, up from band will get a one-time
as part of the world’s larg- ment managers. and low level retail sales $9.90 to $18.81. Workers at lump sum payment equal
est retailer’s previously an- In total, Wal-Mart’s CEO staff, according to the Hay or above their pay band to 2 percent of their annual
nounced commitment to Doug McMillon said in Oc- Group’s survey of 140 re- maximum will automati- pay.q
invest in its workforce as it tober that last year’s invest- tailers with annual sales of
faces pressure from labor- ment in wage increases, $500 million. The survey was
backed groups and seeks along with improved train- conducted last summer.
to retain workers in a tighter ing, cost $1.2 billion. McMil- Wal-Mart’s moves have

Tracey Anderson, 26, re-stocks X-Box sets at a new Wal-Mart on Georgia Avenue Northwest in
Washington. The vast majority of Wal-Mart’s U.S. employees will get raises as part of the world’s
largest retailer’s commitment to invest in its workforce.

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

labor force. lon also said the company met some criticism. Wal-
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on expects to pump $1.5 bil- Mart’s initial pay triggered
Wednesday said more than lion in to its workforce this complaints from work-
1.2 million U.S. hourly work- year, although at the time ers who felt that the raises
ers will get wage increases he did not give details of weren’t spread out evenly.
on Feb. 20. The company, other raises and perks to be Many of the new employ-
which is the largest U.S. pri- offered. ees were getting increases
vate employer with 1.4 mil- As a result of the latest pay in pay, making their pay
lion total workers, also said increase taking effect next closer to other workers who
it will provide free, basic month, the average full- had been at Wal-Mart for
short-term disability to full- time hourly wage at Wal- a long time. The company
time hourly workers. And it Mart stores will be $13.38, acknowledged Wednes-
will start allowing workers up from $13. For part-time day that some employees
to accrue paid time off as workers, the hourly wage were upset.
they earn it. will be $10.58, up from “We did hear from some
The moves mark the big- $10. Last year, before the associates who did feel left
gest changes Wal-Mart has changes, the average out last time, but we spe-
made in its efforts to offer full-time hourly wage was cifically did it to reward as-
better wages and benefits $12.85 and $9.48 for part- sociates in a fair, consistent
to its workers. time. Wal-Mart declined to and transparent way,” said
Last February, Wal-Mart an- provide the average hourly Wal-Mart spokesman Kory
nounced that it would raise wages for Sam’s Club work- Lundberg.
base employee wages for ers. Here are more details of
500,000 workers to $9 an Those wages for Wal-Mart Wal-Mart’s plan:
hour last year, with plans stores are still below the — Workers who are already
to move it to $10 per hour, $14.95 average that hourly earn more than $10 per
next month. The company retail workers in a non-su- hour will receive an annual
also said new entry level pervisory role earn, accord- pay increase in February
workers hired after Jan. 1, ing to government data rather than waiting until the
2016 would start at $9 per that includes people who anniversary date.
hour, but move to at least work at auto dealers and —The company is also rais-
$10 an hour after complet- other outlets that would ing the starting rate of its