Wal-Mart is raising starting wages for more than 100,000
U.S. department managers and workers in its deli and other specialized
departments.
The moves mark the next wave of wage hikes by the nation's
largest private employer, which has been under pressure from labor-backed
groups for the treatment of its workers. In February, it announced it was
increasing minimum wages for entry-level and long-term hourly employees to at
least $10 by next February. That increase affected 500,000 of its 1.3 million
U.S. workers.
The wage hikes are part of a $1 billion program at Wal-Mart
that also includes improving training and offering employees more control of
their schedules. The company is hoping that by investing in its workers, its
customer service will improve, and ultimately that will encourage shoppers to
spend more, helping to perk up sluggish sales at its U.S. division.
In February, Wal-Mart said it would be raising wages for its
department managers but didn't offer many details.
Wal-Mart said late Monday that department managers of
complex and service-oriented jobs in areas like produce, electronics and auto
care, will start at $13 per hour and top out at $24.70 per hour, beginning next
month. Starting next February, they will be paid at least $15 per hour.
Previously, the pay range was from $10.30 to $20.09. Meanwhile, those managers
of less-complicated departments like clothing, and consumer products like paper
towels and luggage, will earn from $10.90 to $20.71 per hour. Previously, they earned
from $9.90 to $19.31.
The hikes come as Wal-Mart is phasing out the position of
zone managers, and reassigning those jobs at its stores to assistant managers
or department managers in a bid to offer front-line workers more control over
how their areas should be run. At the same time, it's adding up to 8,000 more
department manager jobs, who will oversee one specific area.
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