Walmart hands out cash to employees

TAMPA — Walmart employees nationwide have received a share of $157 million in cash bonuses, including 64,000 workers in Florida.

The bonuses will be awarded based on store performance in the fourth quarter, according to a press release. Employees were scheduled to receive the bonus plus an annual pay raise in their March 9 paycheck. Tampa Bay area employees were in line to receive their share of $11.3 million in Florida cash bonuses.

“As the retail landscape continues to evolve, we are undergoing an exciting transformation to create a seamless shopping experience for our customers,” says Vice President and Regional General Manager for Walmart in Central Florida Elise Vasquez-Warner in a statement. “Our associates are part of that change and critical to the company's success.”

Walmart operates 375 retail units in Florida. A press release states Walmart spent more than $5.7 billion with Florida suppliers in 2016, supporting 89,773 supplier jobs.