Wal-Mart to End Extra Pay for Sunday Shifts in 2011 as Duke Targets Costs

[Purveyor]

Dec. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the largest private employer in the U.S., plans to stop paying staff there an additional $1 an hour for working Sundays, taking a bite out of its single biggest expense.

The move, which takes effect next year, applies only to employees hired after Jan. 1, spokesman Greg Rossiter said in an interview today. The move wouldn’t affect the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer’s 1.4 million current U.S. staff.

Since taking over almost two years ago, Chief Executive Officer Mike Duke has pledged to slow cost growth as the retailer copes with six straight quarters of sales declines at U.S. stores open at least a year. Operating expenses rose to about $80 billion last year, partly because of health benefits.

"It’s sad -- people who work on Sunday need that extra dollar," Cynthia Murray, a Wal-Mart employee at a supercenter in Laurel, Maryland, said in an interview. Murray said she makes $11.20 an hour, and doesn’t work Sundays.

The move won’t apply to employees based in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, who weren’t eligible for the extra pay owing to state employment laws, Rossiter said. The retailer has 49 stores in Massachusetts and 10 in Rhode Island as of this month, according to its website. The change will take effect at Wal- Mart stores, Sam’s Club outlets and warehouses.

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http://noir.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aOFzwC7TVXhU&pos=7

[ejpoeta]

1. this way of thinking is so short sighted. sure you increase profits in the short term

but when no one can afford to buy anything anymore then what will you do!!

[Newest Reality]

2. Well, at least they will be delivering

government-sponsored products on their screens as a pubic cervix, soon.

Stasimart! "Where your dollars mean turn in other people!"

[raccoon]

3. How about Mike Duke taking a cut in pay? nt

[walldude]

4. How about adding 3 cents to every product you sell

to make up the money you fucking moron. You think people are going to stop coming to Wally World over a 3 cent markup?

[Reacher]

5. According to the article they already are

Chief Executive Officer Mike Duke has pledged to slow cost growth as the retailer copes with six straight quarters of sales declines at U.S. stores open at least a year.

I can almost remember to the moment in 1987 when Walmart passed Sears as Americas largest retailer. Some of us were shocked. It will ultimately happen to them too, nothing is permanent.

[SoCalNative]

6. Nothing would make me happier

than to see Walmart crash and burn, closing their doors forever.

And then the entire Walton family losing every last cent of their money.

[lpbk2713]

7. No need to worry.

This should not affect the Walton family members' standing as the wealthiest people in the entire world.


:sarcasm: