Nearly 40 percent of Wal-Mart's US workers to get pay raises

[Roland99]

Source: Associated Press (via Yahoo)

Here's a breakdown of some of Wal-Mart's plans:

— Start raising entry level wages to at least $9 an hour in April and to at least $10 an hour by February of next year. That includes the less than 6,000 workers who make the federal minimum wage. Sam's Club locations will offer a starting hourly wage of at least $9.50 or higher in all markets, and at least $10.50 by next year.

— Raise the floor and ceiling of its pay range for each position in most stores. For example, the pay range for cashiers is $7.65 to $16. The new range will be $9.00 to $17.55.

—Raise the starting wage for some department managers to at least $13 an hour by this summer and at least $15 an hour by early next year.

— Give newly hired workers a $9 per hour training wage and when they successfully complete the six-month training program, raise it to $10 an hour. Those workers can pursue one of three career paths: hourly supervisor, a specialty path like working in a bakery or deli or expand their skills in their current role.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/wal-mart-nearly-40-pct-workers-pay-raises-133631746--finance.html

[mountain grammy]

1. Definitely feeling the heat,

the Waltons in their ivory towers. We must keep the pressure on them to do more.

[Fred Sanders]

6. Sales are dropping, folks are voting for Walmart to release the cash to those they profit from.

Still, a pittance, a lurching good start.

[ybbor]

2. Correct me if I am wrong

But aren't these because of states increasing their minimum wages and they are required to do so?

[Roland99]

3. Seems to be above most states' minimums still >>>>

http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx

[BlueCaliDem]

4. That's what I was thinking. Of course, the WalMart propaganda team don't want you to think that.

With their shares dropping on Wall Street, sales plummeting, and the Walton family name being synonymous to Scrooge (all justified), they know they need to do something - on the cheap, of course.

[PADemD]

18. Compare Costco to Walmart

http://www.google.com/finance?cid=656865

I know in which company I'd rather invest. Costco already pays better wages and benefits, has increasing sales, and will give a special one-time $5 dividend to its investors.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/costco-to-spend-2-2-billion-to-pay-one-time-dividend-of-5-per-share-1422617901

[Runningdawg]

5. No mention

of how many hours those who receive raises will be be allowed to work? If Chinamart is raising their wages they will be cutting hours.

[durablend]

8. Leaving LESS people on the floor

That aren't stocking shelves or manning checkouts which will result in even MORE disgruntled shoppers!

[madokie]

7. As a dozer operator back in '77

I was being paid 12 bucks an hour and barely getting by. Course I was having lots of fun though. smoking a lot of weed too

[Roland99]

11. Dozering or dozing?

[mountain grammy]

19. $12/hr was pretty good money in 77 but pot was still $100/oz.

[SoapBox]

9. They'll probably compensate for it by slashing wages in Third World places.

[jwirr]

10. That is very good. Should be more but take what we can get and keep working for more.

[rurallib]

12. Will other big boxers follow suit

I am thinking Target especially here.

For some reason I am skeptical and will believe it when I see it. I get a feeling that somehow workers will end up losing something in return. I just can't imagine Walmart leaning to the good. Will they lose what little benefits they have? Hours?

Will workers lose access to Medicaid or food stamps and not be able to make it up? Just having a hard time taking this at face value.

[LittleGirl]

13. Best thing I've read about Walmart

in years. Happy to recommend.

(I won't ever step foot in one but I'm happy for those people that are finally getting a raise).

[olddots]

14. too little too late !!!

Oh this is so warm and fuzzy. .

[840high]

15. Better than nothing.

[candelista]

16. He hands you a nickel, he hands you a dime...

He asks you with a grin if you are having a good time
Then he fines you every time you slam the door.

--Maggie's Farm
Bob Dylan

[dembotoz]

17. lets give them some credit--I did not expect this

this changes many things

still won't shop there but i am happy for the poor souls who work there.

and i am happy for the folks in the bottom of the low wage cesspool that some progress is being made.
hopefully big progress