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Walmart is in the second phase of its planned minimum wage pay increase for workers, and the Wall Street Journal reports that more than 1.2 million Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club associates will get a raise on February 20th. All hourly workers employed in Walmart stores as of December 31st will get at least a 2% pay bump.
With the pay hike, Walmart’s average full-time hourly wage will be $13.38 per hour, and the average part-time hourly wage will be $10.58 per hour, according to a Walmart press release.
All associates hired before January 1st, 2016 will earn at least $10 per hour. New entry-level associates will continue to start at $9 per hour. They'll earn at least $10 per hour after successfully completing the company’s new retail skills and training program.
Walmart says that the pay raise is a two-year, $2.7 billion investment in workers, and one of the largest single-day, private-sector pay increases ever. The retailer is also rolling out new short-term disability and simplified paid time off programs.
Judith McKenna, chief operating officer for Walmart US, said in a press release:
Our customers and associates are noticing a difference. We’re seeing strong increases in both customer experience and associate engagement scores. Five straight quarters of positive comps in our U.S. business is just one example of how helping our associates grow and succeed helps the company do the same.
The retailer announced last week it was abandoning its smallest store format. All 102 Walmart Express stores are set to close.