Post by Logan on Jan 20, 2016 16:41:21 GMT -6
NEW YORK (AP) -- Wal-Mart is giving raises to the vast majority of its U.S. employees as part of the world's largest retailer's previously announced investment in its workforce. The move comes as it seeks to hold onto workers in an increasingly competitive market.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Wednesday said more than 1.2 million U.S. hourly workers will get wage increases on Feb. 20. The company, the largest U.S. private employer with 1.4 million total workers, also said it will provide free, basic short-term disability to full-time hourly workers. And it will start allowing workers to accrue paid time off as they earn it.
The moves mark the biggest changes Wal-Mart has made in its efforts to offer better wages and benefits to its workers. They come as company faces pressure from labor-back groups who have criticized the company for its treatment of its workers.
Last February, Wal-Mart announced that it would raise base employee wages for 500,000 workers to $9 an hour last year, with plans to move it to $10 per hour, next month. The company also said new entry level workers hired after Jan. 1, 2016 would start at $9 per hour, but move to at least $10 an hour after completing a six-month training program. Then last June, Wal-Mart said it would raise starting wages for more than 100,000 U.S. department managers.
Continued at hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WAL_MART_PAY_RAISES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-01-20-17-10-03 .
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Wednesday said more than 1.2 million U.S. hourly workers will get wage increases on Feb. 20. The company, the largest U.S. private employer with 1.4 million total workers, also said it will provide free, basic short-term disability to full-time hourly workers. And it will start allowing workers to accrue paid time off as they earn it.
The moves mark the biggest changes Wal-Mart has made in its efforts to offer better wages and benefits to its workers. They come as company faces pressure from labor-back groups who have criticized the company for its treatment of its workers.
Last February, Wal-Mart announced that it would raise base employee wages for 500,000 workers to $9 an hour last year, with plans to move it to $10 per hour, next month. The company also said new entry level workers hired after Jan. 1, 2016 would start at $9 per hour, but move to at least $10 an hour after completing a six-month training program. Then last June, Wal-Mart said it would raise starting wages for more than 100,000 U.S. department managers.
Continued at hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WAL_MART_PAY_RAISES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-01-20-17-10-03 .