<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the first time in 30 years, Walmart will be closing its doors across the nation this Thanksgiving to thank their employees who “stepped up” during the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Usually Walmart stores are chaotic on Thanksgiving thanks to the deals the mega-store uses to draw in hoards of Black Friday shoppers early.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones,&#8221; John Furner, the president and CEO of Walmart US, said, according to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/21/business/walmart-thanksgiving-day-closed/index.html">CNN</a>. &#8220;We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to stores closing, Furner said Walmart will spend about $428 million in total on special bonuses for its full-time and part-time employees for working through the pandemic.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As far as that breakdown goes, hourly workers will receive a bonus of $300 and part-time and temporary employees will get $150 each.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bonuses apply to employees hired as of July 31 and will be paid out on Aug. 20, the company said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This new bonus marks the third time Walmart has given an additional financial reward to its workers this year. However, unions and Democrats have argued that workers should be compensated for the added risk during the pandemic in the form of wage increases rather than these cash bonuses.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As far as closing on Thanksgiving, Walmart could set the tone for other companies who financially thrive during the holiday.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Closing on Thanksgiving</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">has been a source of tension</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> between retailers and labor advocates in the past, especially as many retailers in recent years have opened their doors on Thanksgiving to get a jump start on Black Friday.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s also obvious concern about the pandemic and social distancing in stores, which are often packed during the holiday weekend.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Critics have argued that workers should be at home with their families instead. We’ll keep you posted on any updates.</span></p>
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