Walmart announced Wednesday more than 1.2 million Walmart and Sam's Club employees will get a pay increase in February.

Walmart is also implementing new short-term disability and simplified paid time off (PTO) programs.

When Walmart announced its pay plan last February, Doug McMillon, the company's CEO, said it was the sort of strategic investment in workers that can boost morale and improve performance. The announcement, part of a two-phase pay hike that began previous year, comes a week after the world's largest retailer said it would shutter 154 stores in the US and lay off up to 10,000 people. In October, the company stated that the salary increases would cost %1.5 billion, and expected its profit to decrease around 6% to 12% for the fiscal year ending January 2017. The average part-time hourly wage employee - defined as anyone working for the company at less than 34 hours a week - will earn an average of $10.58 an hour.

After that took effect, Walmart said its average hourly rates were "about" $13 for full-time employees and $10 for part-time. Wal-Mart employs 1.4 million workers in the United States and 2.2 million globally. The survey was done last summer.

Woodstock increased its stake in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. But that move upset many long-time employees, who said it was unfair to senior workers who got no increase and would be making the same or close to what newer, less- experienced colleagues earn. So specialists like deli sales associates will make between $10.50 and $18.81 per hour, up from $9.90 to $18.81. Entry-level workers, however, will still receive $9 an hour until completing an in-house training program. That number will be 48 hours for part-time workers. Anyone earning below the new minimum will automatically move up to the new minimum.

"They just closed hundreds of stores, destroyed thousands of jobs, and devastated countless small communities, but now they are trying to convince America they're giving our workers a raise?" the UFCW said in a statement Wednesday. The combined changes will expand support for associates dealing with extended health issues and provide associates greater control over their paid time away from work. Workers will receive a 50% of their average weekly salary (as much as $100) for up to 26 weeks.

Stay on topic - This helps keep the thread focused on the discussion at hand.

Share with Us - We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article, and smart, constructive criticism.

Be proactive - Use the "Flag as Inappropriate" link at the upper right corner of each comment to let us know of abusive posts.