Giant Ups Starting Hourly Wage to $9/Hour

Note: The following news release is from Giant Food Stores. In a follow-up email to Giant’s Public and Community Relations Manager Christopher Brand, he said Giant’s starting wage for associates “currently varies, based on the store position and experience.” Locally there is a Giant located at 1880 Leithsville Road, Lower Saucon Township (Hellertown).

GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets announced Tuesday it is setting its starting associate wage at $9 per hour beginning June 2015 as part of the company’s commitment to providing competitive wages. GIANT/MARTIN’S will also increase the hourly wage for current associates to a minimum of $9 an hour in June.

“Our associates are the foundation of our success, and we have always believed in paying competitive wages to attract the best talent,” said Tom Lenkevich, GIANT/MARTIN’S president.

This change applies to the 197 non-union GIANT/MARTIN’S stores. Approximately 10,000 GIANT/MARTIN’S part-time associates will be impacted by this wage increase, which goes into effect on June 7.

GIANT/MARTIN’S employs 33,000 associates, approximately two-thirds of whom are currently paid more than $9 an hour.

“We believe that this is the right thing to do,” continued Lenkevich. “Our goal is to continue to be an employer of choice by offering a competitive total compensation package, a work environment based upon respect, an emphasis on personal excellence and opportunities for career advancement.”

Q: What do you think of Giant’s decision to increase its starting wage for employees to nearly $2 more per hour than both the Pennsylvania and federal minimum wages, which are currently $7.25 an hour? Tell us by posting a comment.