Wal-Mart To Hike Number of Part-Timers, Caps Wages - 10/03/06

By Jesse Russell

In order to create a cheaper workforce, Wal-Mart is looking at adding more part-timers and reducing full-timers. According to the New York Times, the chain is aiming for a workforce of 40 percent part-time workers, a move that could further reduce the number of employees receiving health care benefits and make it even more difficult for the company's low-income workers. Another part of the cost reduction plan is for the company to implement a wage cap. Some current and former employees told the New York Times that they saw the changes as a way to force out "longtime higher -wage workers."