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The act of upgrading minimum wage positions
would be largely a symbolic move for Wal-Mart. Currently only
about 6,000 workers make the minimum out of its U.S. workforce
of 1.3 million. Wal-Mart says its average full-time hourly wage
is $12.92, compared with the federal minimum wage of $7.25.
But the comments from CEO Douglas McMillon could draw some
attention amid the contentious national debate over proposals to
raise the minimum wage. Wal-Mart is the largest private employer
in the U.S. and a prime target of labor activists who say it
doesn't pay workers a living wage.
"We only have a few thousand associates in the U.S., less than
6,000 of our 1.3 million associates in the U.S., that currently
make a minimum wage and it is our intention over time that we
will be in a situation where we don't pay minimum wage at all,"
McMillon told reporters on Wednesday when asked about the issue
following an investor conference.
McMillon said the move would be part of a larger effort to
"invest in its associate base". It could also look at using
promotions and bonus payments to improve opportunities for
workers, he said. He didn't disclose further details.
OUR Walmart, a workers' group that's been pushing for the
retailer to pay higher wages, is organizing two rallies on
Thursday - one in New York and one in Washington D.C. - to put a
spotlight on the issue, a spokeswoman for the group said.
(Reporting by Nathan Layne in Rogers, Arkansas; Editing by Ryan
Woo)
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