For decades, Walmart has come under scrutiny for its poor labor practices. From inconsistent scheduling to offering a lack of benefits, the supermarket giant is no stranger to worker complaints and a reputation as a bad employer. Yet while other box stores are moving towards dramatic pay increases, Walmart – the largest retailer in the world – is still offering starting pay of a measly $12 an hour.
Sign now to demand that Walmart pay its employees an actual living wage and raise its minimum starting pay to $24!
Even in the cheapest places to live in the country, a $12/hour wage is not enough to pay rent and meet your basic needs. In fact, the two states with the lowest average rent costs -- West Virginia and Arkansas -- still require workers to make over $14.50/hour to survive. While the fight for $15 is a powerful social movement aimed at increasing pay and workers rights, inflation and increases in the cost of living have now rendered the $15 goal insufficient just a decade after it was originally proposed.
Meanwhile, the top six Walmart executives make a combined whopping $80 million annually. The Waltons, descendants of the founder of Walmart with a massive stake remaining in the company, are the richest family in the United States, and by some measures, the world. The family's total wealth was recently as high as $238 billion. In 2020 alone, Walmart's CEO made $22 million. It seems like they have plenty of money to pay their workers what they deserve.
On the other hand, Target recently announced that it will be increasing tens of thousands of its workers base-pay to $24/hour. If Target can do that, why can't Walmart?
There is no excuse for Walmart paying their workers such a low hourly rate. With the cost of living continuing to rise across the country, the company's employees deserve to be able to pay rent and meet their basic needs. If the company can pay its executives tens of millions, they can afford $24/hour starting rate! Sign the petition now if you agree!