This Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
article first quotes Wal-mart CEO Lee Scott as being for a minimum wage increase.
"In October, I said that the federal minimum wage of $ 5.15 was out of date with the times," Scott said in an e-mailed statement. " I still believe that today. We see this first-hand at Wal-Mart with many of our customers struggling to get by. This is especially true in light of today's high gas prices."
But then Wal-mart's lobbiest, Lee Culpepper says different:
"He [Scott ] said Congress should take a look at it," Culpepper told the weekly. "If reporters want to report differently from that, I can't speak to that."
Wakeup Walmart calls them on this discrepancy:
"Wal-Mart first supports a minimum-wage increase, then they don't support a minimum-wage increase," WakeUp Wal-Mart spokesman Chris Kofinis said. "It is a cruel about-face that is a slap in the face to millions of working families who struggle to make ends meet on $ 5. 15 an hour. But the American people shouldn't be surprised; this is what happens when a company cares more about public relations than real change."
As I pointed out last week, the Wal-mart organization is led by smart people that have innovated in so many areas. Lee Scott is aware of these HR issues and the organization is actively working to correct them. Money is what motivates and Lee Scott understands that their core customers, people on the lower end of the income spectrum, are struggling. The discrepancy comes from the Wal-mart policy not to get involved in specific legislation. While it would help the cause, do you really want big business deeply involved at the frontline of this, or any, campaign? I don't.
Wal-mart is a huge company, 1.2 million associates. It takes a considerable effort to change course. This is not just a policy change, this is a significant modification of the company's culture. I live here in Wal-mart country and I know a lot of creative and thoughtful people are questioning the status quo and advising Scott and the leadership on their HR issues.
The change is slowly happening. With time, Wal-mart will do the right thing.