Walmart, Inc. is threatening to pull its plans to build three urban stores in D.C. if Mayor Vincent Gray signs a new living wage bill into law.
According to a statement from Walmart released Tuesday afternoon, the company is reconsidering its plans to construct stores at Skyland, Capitol Gateway and New York Avenue.
The company goes further in threatening to halt construction of three more D.C. store locations if the Large Retailer Accountability Act is passed by Gray.
"While we will continue to engage with the Council leading up to July 10, we also urge Mayor Gray to veto this discriminatory legislation [LRAA] as it runs counter to every economic development platform his administration has identified as a priority for Washington, D.C.," Walmart's statement reads.
The LRAA would require "large retailers," whose retails stores take up at least 75,000 square feet and whose parent companies have sales of more than $1 billion, to pay wages no lower than $11.75 per hour. This would also include subcontractors working on the premises of the stores.
"The LRAA would clearly inject unforeseen costs into the equation that will create an uneven playing field and change the fiscal health of our planned D.C. stores," Walmart's statement reads.
Council is set to consider the LRAA at a meeting Wednesday. The current minimum wage is $8.25.
"While we will continue to engage with the Council leading up to July 10, we also urge Mayor Gray to veto this discriminatory legislation as it runs counter to every economic development platform his administration has identified as a priority for Washington, D.C.," Walmart's statement reads.
Mayor Gray released the following statement Tuesday:
"Walmart’s announcement today is immensely discouraging. We’ve worked diligently to expand entry-level job opportunities for District residents and end retail leakage to neighboring jurisdictions. The cancellation of three planned stores will surely set us back. I strongly urge the Council to consider whether this legislation will actually promote strong economic development in the District and expand job opportunities for District residents."