When everybody gets the $15 per hour in the US - how long do you think it will take for people to say
"I'm not working all that hard, I'm only getting paid minimum wage"
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Ontheroad · M
It's a long overdue increase. When the cost of driving to and home from work equals a hours wage, it's criminal to expect someone, anyone, to work for $7.25 an hour.
I know there is the whole idea that working at a fast food joint was meant for teenagers, not as a full-time job, but the reality is different. You work where you can, and in a country with a huge number of people are working in unskilled service jobs, we can't expect them to work for nothing.
If it costs more to buy a burger, I'm okay with that. It's my choice and I certainly dont need one.
I know there is the whole idea that working at a fast food joint was meant for teenagers, not as a full-time job, but the reality is different. You work where you can, and in a country with a huge number of people are working in unskilled service jobs, we can't expect them to work for nothing.
If it costs more to buy a burger, I'm okay with that. It's my choice and I certainly dont need one.
Pretzel · 70-79, M
@Ontheroad the problem is with a doubling of the wage is that the price has to be passed on to consumers and if they aren't willing to pay - the company goes out of business.
Right after the increase in California I saw news reports of already shaking businesses closing their doors.
Right after the increase in California I saw news reports of already shaking businesses closing their doors.
Ontheroad · M
factanonverba · 56-60, M
@Ontheroad I remember 34 years ago when minimum wage was just $4.50 an hour.
I worked for a recycling company in a major factory for three years. When I quite, I was only making $6.00 an hour. I was one of, if not the highest paid laborers in my company. Not only that, a couple years later I found out that within a week of me leaving, half of first shift quit as well.
I worked for a recycling company in a major factory for three years. When I quite, I was only making $6.00 an hour. I was one of, if not the highest paid laborers in my company. Not only that, a couple years later I found out that within a week of me leaving, half of first shift quit as well.
Ynotisay · M
@Pretzel But does it HAVE to be? We'll take McDonald's as an example because it's usually the gauge because they're the biggest.
Most of their restaurant crews around the world are working at minimum wage. In Mexico they get paid a dollar an hour. A Big Mac costs about three bucks. In China it's a $1.80. A Big Mac is almost 3.
McDonald's gross profit was about $14.5 BILLION in '23. Up about 10 percent from '22. That's B as in Billion. You know how much a billion is right? A thousand million.
So my question is, why support the corporation making billions and billions in PROFIT, on the backs of workers who may not have a choice but take whatever job they can. And if you think minimum wage is enough to live any kind of decent life you're wrong.
History shows that when the minimum wage is increased the economy does better overall. Because those workers BUY things too. And while these means nothing to the 'real Americans," others lives are made better for it.
Unfortunately, too many have been trained the kiss the hand that beats them. They fight for and protect those keeping others down and struggling. Even when it's against their own best interest.
So if you can tell me why that is I'd be really curious to know.
Most of their restaurant crews around the world are working at minimum wage. In Mexico they get paid a dollar an hour. A Big Mac costs about three bucks. In China it's a $1.80. A Big Mac is almost 3.
McDonald's gross profit was about $14.5 BILLION in '23. Up about 10 percent from '22. That's B as in Billion. You know how much a billion is right? A thousand million.
So my question is, why support the corporation making billions and billions in PROFIT, on the backs of workers who may not have a choice but take whatever job they can. And if you think minimum wage is enough to live any kind of decent life you're wrong.
History shows that when the minimum wage is increased the economy does better overall. Because those workers BUY things too. And while these means nothing to the 'real Americans," others lives are made better for it.
Unfortunately, too many have been trained the kiss the hand that beats them. They fight for and protect those keeping others down and struggling. Even when it's against their own best interest.
So if you can tell me why that is I'd be really curious to know.