Corporate America Is Ponying Up for Workers Suddenly in Demand

For the first time in decades, the American worker is finally in command when it comes time to talk money.

There are tell-tale signs everywhere that this is so.

Like the way some employers -- such as Kroger Co., Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. and Under Armour Inc. -- are frantically pushing up hourly wages to try to retain employees. Or the way others -- like Starbucks Corp. and Drury Hotels -- are dangling hiring bonuses to entry-level applicants. Or the way CVS Health Corp. is no longer requiring job seekers to have high-school diplomas. Or the way Dan Sacco, the ...