[learc83]

I don't think anyone is really talking about 20% wage increases. Unionize Walmart/living wage types are usualy talking somewhere around $15 per hour which would be closer to 100% wage increase. Even if we're talking about moving workers from 8 to 12 thats a 50% increase.

Some back of the envelope math shows that if Walmart gave an across the board 50% raise to every employee it would consume it's entire operating profit.

If they were forced to pay $15 per hour I think they would make a few changes.

1. They would accelerate the deployment of rfid inventory control, vastly reducing the number of stockers, and completely eliminating cashiers--all those employees would now be unemployed.

2. They would squeeze their suppliers even more, and the suppliers would be forced to cut their employees salaries.