Retail giant Walmart to raise wages for US staff

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

New York (AFP) - Global retail giant Walmart, which has faced criticism over low salaries and skimpy benefits for years, announced Thursday it would raise wages for 500,000 workers in the US.

The largest private single employer in the United States said salaries for about 40 percent of its US staff would be lifted to at least $9 per hour in April, $1.75 above the federal minimum wage. By February 1, 2016, US staff will be paid at least $10 an hour.

In a video address to employees, Wal-Mart Stores chief executive Doug McMillon acknowledged that "sometimes we don't get it all right."

"As a team, we really wanted to demonstrate this year that we really care about you as associates and appreciate the work you do every day," said McMillon.

In afternoon Thursday Walmart shares fell 2.9 percent to $83.77

http://news.yahoo.com/wal-mart-raise-wages-us-staff-141252710.html;_ylt=AwrSyCN8Y.dUthAA6WvQtDMD

Seems to align well with California's current wage orders. "As California goes, so goes the nation."

[decocker 7,198]

can you live off of 10$ an hour in california?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

can you live off of 10$ an hour in california?

Define "live". Different areas have widely ranging cost of living, especially for housing.

[decocker 7,198]

Define "live". Different areas have widely ranging cost of living, especially for housing.

surviving without welfare.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

surviving without welfare.

Survive no problem. I see hippies survive without working or welfare. I wouldn't exactly call it a living, but they seem stoned and happy.

[decocker 7,198]

Survive no problem. I see hippies survive without working or welfare. I wouldn't exactly call it a living, but they seem stoned and happy.

not bums, working individuals with families. like those who would work at walmart.

[Umka36 781]

I'm not sure about the cost of living in California. What I do see on VJ is that some members are able to bring over a spouse/fiancé and barely making that amount annually, and they seem to get by fine. I personally couldn't do it, just based on what we have gone through so far. Things like dental/medical cost (beyond the medical insurance), and having a baby and all the associated costs.

I saw on the news that it was $10 for part-time and $13 for full-time.

[Teddy B 17,252]

not bums, working individuals with families. like those who would work at walmart.

A two parent household with both parents working at Walmart for $10 an hour, sure. A single parent at $10 per hour and 2 or 3 kids, probably not.

[decocker 7,198]

A two parent household with both parents working at Walmart for $10 an hour, sure. A single parent at $10 per hour and 2 or 3 kids, probably not.

i don't know about that. a two parent household with both working, a good hearty chunk of that combined 20 an hour is going to go to daycare. i'm going to bet both scenarios would require some sort of welfare assistance. eic would be one.

[Teddy B 17,252]

i don't know about that. a two parent household with both working, a good hearty chunk of that combined 20 an hour is going to go to daycare. i'm going to bet both scenarios would require some sort of welfare assistance. eic would be one.

I think it's doable. Granted it wouldn't be the most comfortable of living, but doable. Working staggered shifts would help diminish or eliminate the need for daycare.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Vote to make Wal Mart a sub god, or the: "I have no motivation or perceived responsibility of taking care of my own life, so I rely on big business and government to take care of me" group.

IHNMOPROTCOMOLSIROBBAGTTCOM for short.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The annual retail customer satisfaction survey just came out day before yesterday. "Always low wages" ™ doesn't buy you great customer service, apparently. Wal-Mart comes in dead last with their worst reading since 2007. Coincidence that they come out with this "we're gonna pay you more" press release the day after?

Wal-Mart Declines Further Among Department & Discount Stores

Customer satisfaction with department and discount stores stays flat with an ACSI score of 77, while the gap between the best- and worst-ranked companies continues to grow. At the top, Nordstrom gains 4 percent to 86, while Wal-Mart drops 4 percent to 68 to the bottom of the category. With its lowest level of customer satisfaction since 2007, Wal-Mart is now well behind Target (+4% to 80), Meijer (78), and Sears (-5% to 73).

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Abolish low consumer prices.

[lostinblue 1,989]

can you live off of 10$ an hour in california?

If you cannot afford to live in an area then move . North Dakota has a lot of $ 15 /hr jobs .

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But does ND have bunkers?