CHIPOTLE RAISES AVERAGE U.S. HOURLY WAGE TO $15

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is raising its average wage to US$15 an hour as it moves to hire 20,000 workers in the U.S., joining a growing number of companies reconsidering worker pay amid labour shortages. The burrito chain plans to reach that compensation level by the end of June and will set hourly starting wages at US$11 to US$18 an hour, says a statement Monday. Chipotle said in January its average hourly rate was about US$13, with starting wages at its restaurants over US$10. Labour was a concern for the industry before the pandemic, with restaurants struggling to attract workers even at higher pay. The health crisis has given a boost to delivery services and fast-food chains at the expense of their sit-down counterparts.