Idaho Wal-Mart workers get raises

Wal-Mart says 7,000 Idaho Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club employees will receive pay raises this week, including 2,700 in the Treasure Valley.

The raises, which take effect in checks to be issued Thursday, March 10, are part of a two-year, $2.7 billion investment nationwide to raise wages and provide better training and long-term career opportunities at the retail giant.

Wal-Mart employees are now eligible for quarterly cash bonuses based on the performance of their stores. For the previous 12 months, employees earned $550 million in bonuses, including $1.6 million earned by employees at Idaho’s 27 stores.

All U.S. associates hired before Jan. 1 will earn at least $10 an hour, as will those hired after Jan. 1 once they complete a training program. Employees already earning more than $10 an hour will receive raises too, except for those already at maximum pay levels for their jobs. They will receive 2 percent bonuses.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Idaho Wal-Mart workers get raises."