Wal-Mart Competition

Wal-Mart Jobs Attracting Thousands 

Laura Speakman  WHSV

Ten thousand people and counting. That's how many from the valley are jumping at the chance to get a job at the new Wal-Mart Distribution Center. With only 900 jobs to fill, the $14 an hour salary is causing the huge rush of applications.

"The pay wages have stayed steady as gas prices and everything else has gone up," said Harold Humphrey, Harrisonburg resident.

Harold, along with thousand others, is taking a chance to get a job at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Many currently have jobs, but they're looking to go to Wal-Mart for more money.

"I don't blame people if they do leave other jobs, they deserve it. The pay in this Valley has been low for many years, uh, you finally have a company that's coming in here that's paying a decent wage," said Harold.

Wal-Mart wants everyone to know these jobs are labor intensive. You have to be able to lift 50 to 100 pounds in a non climate-controlled building; but people say with the pay and benefits, it's worth it.

"I don't mind hard work I've been working hard all of my life and I don't mind working a decent amount of money if I'm making 8, 6, 7 dollars an hour versus 14 an hour I'm going to switch job," said Harold.

The applications are still available at your Virginia Employment Commission, V.E.C. Hiring will start in the next couple of weeks.

This could be a wake up call for other businesses. With so many people wanting to make more money and possibly leave their current jobs, other companies in the valley may have to pay more. Officials at the V.E.C. office in Harrisonburg say the salary Wal-Mart is paying is more than most area businesses. Harrisonburg V.E.C. Supervisor Scott Coombs says Wal-Mart did its homework looking at average wages and benefits offered.

"I think other employees are going to have to look at that and make adjustments if they're going to stay competitive for wage and salary benefits," said Coombs.

Coombs says the distribution center could also end up lowering the unemployment rate because of the number of job openings it has.

For information about Wal-Mart Competition go to:  www.michaelbergdahl.net

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