Editor,
Readers may appreciate a correction following the inaccurate column about Wal-Mart that appeared in the Sept. 6 issue of the Daily Lobo.
First, unlike other retail employers, Wal-Mart offers coverage to both full-time and part-time associates, who can become eligible for coverage for as little as $23 per month anywhere in the country. Coverage for children is available for just 50 cents more per day, no matter how many children an associate has, and every child of a Wal-Mart associate is eligible for coverage as soon as his or her parent is eligible.
To date, these kinds of affordable, accessible health benefit solutions have helped us move more than 150,000 uninsured Americans into a company-sponsored insurance plan. They've also placed us among the nation's largest private-sector providers of health
insurance, with more than a million people covered under our plans. In addition to health care, we offer other benefits such as 401k profit-sharing plans and bonuses.
Second, people want Wal-Mart jobs because we offer affordable health benefits and competitive wages. We could not attract and retain the nation's largest private workforce if we didn't. Our average full-time hourly wage in New Mexico is $9.92 - nearly twice the federal minimum wage. In fact, there are no minimum wage jobs at Wal-Mart. Plus, in urban areas where the cost of living is higher, our wages are, too. And we comply with minimum wage ordinances as implemented for the state.
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Both our competitive pay and affordable health benefits have helped us create more than 240,000 jobs in the last three years, many in neighborhoods that desperately need them. At a recent store opening in Evergreen Park, Ill., more than 25,000 people applied for just 325 available jobs.
But we're also proud that we create more than just jobs - we create careers. More than three-fourths of our store management team began careers with Wal-Mart as hourly associates.
Finally, our impact on communities is positive - and unparalleled. In addition to creating jobs, we generate more than $13 billion in sales tax revenue for communities; donate more than $245 million to charities, predominantly at the local level; and save working families more than $2,300 per year. Just last year in New Mexico, Wal-Mart spent more than $140 million with more than 564 businesses here, supporting nearly 14,000 local jobs. Wal-Mart generated more than $113.5 million in tax revenue and donated $1.8 million to local charitable organizations.
We believe Wal-Mart is good for America's communities and for working families. And to the tune of 127 million customers per week, Americans believe it, too.
Kimberly Randle
Sr. Public Affairs Manager
N.M. and Texas
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
