D.C. lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a bill requiring certain large retailers to pay their employees a 50 percent premium over the city’s minimum wage, a day after Wal-Mart warned the law would jeopardize their plans in the city.
The retail giant on Tuesday linked the future of at least three planned stores in the District to the proposal. But the ultimatum did not change any legislators’ minds. The 8-5 vote, which came after a hourlong debate in a packed council chamber, matched the outcome of an earlier vote on the matter.
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Should the bill be signed by Mayor Vincent C. Gray and pass a congressional review period, retailers with corporate sales of $1 billion or more and operating in spaces 75,000 square feet or larger would be required to pay employees no less than $12.50 an hour. The city’s minimum wage is $8.25.
While the bill would affect several existing District retailers — such as Macy’s and Target — an extended grandfather period and an exception for unionized businesses has made it clear the measure is aimed at Wal-Mart, which has announced plans to open six stores in the city.
“Nothing has changed from our perspective,” said Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo in a statement released after the vote reiterating that the company will abandon plans for three unbuilt stores and “review the financial and legal implications” of not opening three others already under construction.Read the full story HERE and view what Charles Krauthammer has to say about it below:
We didn't need those 600 jobs...President Obama will take care of us.
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