An internal Walmart memo circulated to store managers earlier this month shows the retailer estimates that minimum wage hikes in 21 states will affect worker base salaries at 1,434 stores across the United States, according to a new report Wednesday.
The memo obtained by Reuters outlines which positions will be impacted by the hikes when they take effect on Jan. 1. Base salaries for three lower-level positions — cashiers, cart pushers and maintenance workers — will be lumped together under one rate, while the minimum premium pay to workers in supervisor roles like deli associates will narrow to within a closer range of lower grade workers.
Walmart, the country’s biggest private employer with some 1.3 million workers, has struggled to boost sales after Americans lost jobs or already low incomes during the financial crisis. The company estimates that its average full-time hourly wage is $12.92, but its chief executive has indicated Walmart plans to improve opportunities so more of its workers making the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour can earn more.
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