Walmart Canada, which operates stores in Burnaby at Metropolis at Metrotown and Lougheed Town Centre, says it plans to hire 12,000 permanent new employees to staff its retail stores, warehouses and delivery trucks.
This comes at a time when many retail businesses and restaurants say they are short of workers – a situation some experts blame on poor wages and working conditions that are driving people into other job sectors. Some, however, blame federal benefits during COVID-19 – benefits that recently ended.
Not everyone will be thrilled at working in retail during a hectic Christmas season in which workers have been harassed by obnoxious customers.
So, the question is, how many local workers will bite on the offer of work?
Walmart says new workers are needed primarily to fulfil online orders in stores, work in various grocery departments such as bakery, meat and produce, stock store shelves, prepare warehouse orders for shipment and drive delivery trucks.
Horacio Barbeito, president and CEO of Walmart Canada, says the store is committed to offering good jobs and opportunities and welcoming thousands more associates to the company.
The retail chain's massive hiring push comes months ahead of the busy holiday season and could signal a potential labour crunch later this fall as competition for retail workers heats up.
Indigo Books and Music Inc. announced late last month on Twitter a hiring drive ahead of the holidays, with jobs available across the country.
Burnaby’s SPUD grocery delivery service recently said it was hiring new workers.
The 80 positions include in the Burnaby warehouse: entry level roles in packing, produce, cleaning, receiving and inventory control.
No experience is required, said the company, as Spud will conduct all training and there are development opportunities. Warehouse positions include a variety of shifts and roles. For delivery: delivering customer groceries around the lower mainland. Class 5 license required only. Variety of shifts available. Spud is also hiring a variety of other office roles including remote.
Starbucks Canada, meanwhile, says it's raising wages and benefits amid "critical staffing shortages.”
Beginning in January, the company says its starting wages will be increased to a dollar above provincial minimums, while workers who have been with the company a year will receive a six to 10 per cent pay hike.
It says the wage boost, which will impact about 20,000 workers, will bring the hourly pay for baristas to between $13 and $20.45, depending on location and tenure, while shift supervisors will earn between $15.85 and $24.95.
Starbucks also says it's providing every hourly worker in Canada with three paid shifts off per calendar year for sick days or family care, along with ongoing perks such as free coffee, a subscription to a meditation app and health and dental care.
The higher wages and benefits come as the coffee company says it has added recruiting specialists to address "critical staffing shortages and difficulties" in some markets.
Starbucks, which refers to workers as partners, says it's also investing in additional training and new technologies and processes to improve day-to-day tasks in its coffee shops.
- With reporting by The Canadian Press
