As part of Walmart’s additional $1 billion investment in its workers
this year, Walmart is giving pay raises to 16,338 associates in
Pennsylvania for the pay period starting April 4th. With the
raises, associates earn at least $1.75 an hour above the federal and
Pennsylvania state minimum wage. The new full-time average hourly wage
in Pennsylvania is now $12.98.
This is the first company-wide increase in wages since its announcement
in February to provide even more opportunity for its workers. As of
April 4th, all Walmart associates earn at least $9 per hour and by
February 2016 all current associates will earn at least $10 per hour.
Walmart is also raising the floor and ceiling of its in-store pay bands
in most stores and is providing raises to associates earning at the
maximum of their pay band.
Starting wages are just one part of Walmart’s commitment to providing
associates with clearer career opportunities. Through its Opportunity
initiative, Walmart is opening doors for existing and new associates by
providing increased scheduling flexibility and control, and new training
opportunities for continued growth and advancement beyond entry-level
jobs.
"A lot of my coworkers are getting raises, and they’re also taking
advantage of opportunities for new training,” said Tomas Mendez, a
Walmart hourly associate and overnight support manager from
Philadelphia. “Not everywhere can you start out making $9 per
hour—Walmart’s decision has made a lot of people want to work for our
company.”
Walmart is acting purposefully on wages all along the opportunity
ladder. For example, the company is reexamining the department manager
roles and will raise the starting wage for some of them to at least
$13/hour this summer and at least $15/hour early next year. As part of
the company’s commitment to associate success, Walmart is also
implementing comprehensive changes to its hiring, training,
compensation, and scheduling programs, as well as its store structure.
“As an employer and partner, Walmart is an influential contributor to
workforce development in our community,” said Keystone Community
Education Council Executive Director Lance Hummer. “The company not only
provides career opportunities for its own associates, but through the
Walmart Foundation it supports programs like the ones at Keystone
Community Education Council that boost technical education for
Pennsylvanians.”
Walmart associates from Pennsylvania and around the country will have
greater choice in their work scheduling to better fit their individual
needs. To ensure consistency, some associates will have access to fixed
schedules that will not change for at least six months. Associates also
will have the option to pick their own shifts or continue to be
scheduled systematically based on their availability.
Associates will also be introduced to a new development and training
program developed by Walmart workers that allows them to improve and
build the skills necessary to grow and enhance their careers. The goal
of Walmart’s transformation effort is to set the stage for future
associates and showcase the unique ways Walmart offers appropriate
onboarding and training. Robust onboarding and training programs are
essential for associates and their careers, ensuring a greater chance
for promotions and other advancements.
NOTE: Associates began earning the higher pay beginning with the
April 4th pay period; the first pay check to
include the additional income will be delivered on April 23rd.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save
money and live better – anytime and anywhere -- in retail stores,
online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 245
million customers and members visit our 11,053 stores under 71 banners
in 27 countries and ecommerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year
2014 sales of over $473 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million
associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in
sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.
Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on
Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and
on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.
Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2015