Wal Mart increases starting wage

[Pat Mustard]

You asked me why it was a meaningless action. That's why, because they announced wage increases and at the same time fire a load of people. I get that layoffs can happen, but having layoffs at the same time as increasing pay for other workers sends a message that they can afford a wage increase, but apparently can't afford to keep people on. Not only that, but they can afford to give people a wage increase, but can't afford to invest more into stores to try and increase profitability.

I actually think it sends another, much more sinister message. Essentially Wall mart are saying to their employees "You see Chuck over there, leaving and going on food stamps. If you don't want to be just like him, barely subsisting on shit, you'd better give us loads of extra hours, and don't you go looking for any money for those hours neither you hear. The $10 a week we might give you is more than enough".

Mass layoffs like that are rarely (except in liquidation cases) a necessity. They are done pour encourager les autres.