Washington Mayor Cedes To Walmart, Vetoes Living Wage Bill
WASHINGTON (AP) - Washington's mayor has vetoed a bill that would force Walmart and other large retailers to pay their employees a "living wage" of at least $12.50 an hour.
Mayor Vincent Gray says in a statement that the legislation is "not a true living-wage bill." The Democratic mayor also calls it a "job killer," saying large retailers would avoid opening stores in the District of Columbia if it became law.
Walmart had said it would not build three of six planned stores if the bill became law. The D.C. Council approved it in July on an 8-5 vote, which is one short of a veto-proof majority.
The bill would only affect retailers with stores of 75,000 square feet or larger, at least $1 billion in annual sales and non-unionized workforces.
From AOL Jobs Staff:
Also on Thursday, Bloomberg News published an investigative report, revealing how the Walton family, America's richest family and the founders of Walmart, maintains its $100 billion fortune by deftly exploiting legal loopholes. OUR Walmart, the organizer of protests against Walmart, has been pushing for a raise to $15 an hour. It released a statement referencing to the Bloomberg report:
"Walmart and the Waltons are getting rich while those of us that work to keep the doors open are struggling and being retaliated against for speaking out," said Cindy Murray, a 13-year Walmart associate from MD who makes $12.40 an hour. "DC City Council members and elected leaders across the country are standing up to Walmart and demanding the company improve jobs to help strengthen our economy."
Last week, 100 Walmart workers and activists were arrested as part of a wave of protests against the retail giant, according to OUR Walmart.
