Amazon workers to get raise, free Prime membership

(CNN)– Amazon warehouse workers are getting a pay raise and free Prime membership.

Amazon announced on Wednesday, Sept. 18, the average starting wage has increased to more than $22 an hour.

That is good news for the online retail giant’s more than 800 thousand front-line employees.

The company will also offer the $139 yearly Prime benefit to employees for free.

The wage hike comes ahead of the busy holiday shopping season and analysts are predicting online sales will increase this year.