Posted on Nov 11, 2015
What are your thoughts on the "Fight for $15?"
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Fast food and other service workers are uniting to demand the minimum wage be set at $15 an hour. They also want a union. What are your thoughts? The personal feelings I have are mixed. Fast food is supposed to be a starter job for most. Of course I don't live in a large city. But then again, most fast food workers I have encountered aren't the sharpest spork in the plastic wrap. What say you?
Economy
Jobs
Sociology
Employment
Minimum Wage
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 130
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I personally think that demanding more to flip a burger or change out the fries is dumb as sh!t. If you don't want to make minimum wage then try to aspire to do more for yourself...
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No. Raising the minimum wage will increase the cost of goods and services and make the raise be for nothing anyway. Yes, it will "stimulate the economy" for about 3 months until the effects start being felt by everyday America and bam, right back in the same spot we are now. Not only that, but will also, as stated by others, be detrimental to entry level positions in the corporate world. Not a good idea at all in my opinion.
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Every employer whom didn't get put out of Business by this would then raise their prices to cover the cost and to make a little profit. This would not benefit anyone and would make the raise of wages, pointless.
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Every employer whom didn't get put out of Business by this would then raise their prices to cover the cost and to make a little profit. This would not benefit anyone and would make the raise of wages, pointless.
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I HOPE that never happens, I think we'd go broke...
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I don't think it's a good idea. The idea of a living wage is trying to hit a fast moving target with a pea shooter. If you raise the minimum wage to 15 dollars, then every other industry will feel the need to increase their wages. The added costs of labor will drive prices up further, which means that those now making 15 dollars an hour will not be able to afford to live any better with a higher wage.
The other possible outcome is that if labor costs go up, companies will automate to shed labor costs. I think the only thing that has prevented that from happening so far is the lower costs of labor compared to the upfront costs of buying automation equipment.
Minimum wage should not be a career goal it should be a starting point that they seek to rise above through self improvement, education, and pursuing higher and higher career positions.
The other possible outcome is that if labor costs go up, companies will automate to shed labor costs. I think the only thing that has prevented that from happening so far is the lower costs of labor compared to the upfront costs of buying automation equipment.
Minimum wage should not be a career goal it should be a starting point that they seek to rise above through self improvement, education, and pursuing higher and higher career positions.
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That fight currently sent McDonald's workers on strike today, no Big Macs for you today.
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SSG Terry Back (Martin-Back)
McDonalds promotes 100% pure beef. Are you aware that cow patties are also 100% pure beef?
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I went to school, got a masters, and made only $20hr. I should have gone to deep frying trade school.
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SSG Audwin Scott
In today's society minimum wage just isn't cutting it so I am all of it being raised, keep in mind if they raise it my pay should increase as well.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
I think that is insane that we have to pay $15 minimum wage to unskilled workers. I think the increase should be graduated. I also think the minimum wage should be decided by the area you live in and the cost of living. The average rent in cities like Seattle, Washington and New York city is so high, making $7 or $8 is not gonna help when it comes to paying rent. If you live in a place like Clarksville, TN, the average rent is around 500 a month. Making minimum wage of $7-$8 should be enough to cover the cost of living there.
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I think the real question here is what is a realistic base (minimum) wage for a full time employee. Associated questions include, what is the realistic minimum wage for temporary and/or seasonal workers, part time workers, agricultural workers, etc...? All of these should be addressed for there are differences. Another point for consideration centers on should there be a differential for different parts of the country as the cost of living is not universally the same. A minimum wage of $15 per hour may be too little in one place, and sustainability high in another.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
I don't think it's "Full Time Employment" but "Unskilled Labor" because these are different issues. I don't make $15/hr, but I have a company car (and gas card, and paid insurance). My total compensation package would FAR exceed that nominal number. If my boss were forced to pay that new minimum wage, it "might" result in a loss of benefits which would end up in drop in my total compensation.
I absolutely agree with the concept of "realistic" base or more specifically realistic expectations however.
I absolutely agree with the concept of "realistic" base or more specifically realistic expectations however.
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MAJ Alvin B.
I agree in large part with your point. This is philosophical question, should "unskilled labor" make a given wage, and if so what is that minimum number? If you research the current laws you will find that many classifications of workers and employers are exempt from current minimum wage laws for various reasons (the basis for my larger set of questions. Most of us in the military, when we reported to our initial entry training were in effect unskilled, and we were paid as such. Then, as we moved through the system our pay rates changed to reflect both our advancement in skill and our longevity (experience).
Way back in the day (1970s) when I started my part time job in high school at the age of 16 [i obtained my work permit on my 16th birthday so I could legally work], I was paid the the minimum wage of $1.60 per hour for @ 20 hours of work per week, no benefits included. Before I left that position, I managed to get a raise to $1.85 per hour before the law raised the rate to $2.00 per hour [according to the Department of Labor that translates to an hourly rate of $8.10 to $9.12 in 2012 adjusted dollars], as an "unskilled employee" learning the ropes of life in the adult working world. In that place and time, such a job was not intended to be a career, such is not always the case today.
At what point does someone go from being unskilled to skilled? What are the indicators of such a transition and what should they be paid at each stage of the progression?
There are examples of how this has been addressed in different places and times (unions, trades (plumbing, electrical, etc...), even in the professions (medical doctors progressing through intern, to resident, to fully qualified). In effect we are all unskilled at the start of our journey (and may become unskilled or less skilled as circumstances change). It is Unfortunate, that some never progress, while other do. At least to some degree this is as much about the start point as it is about those who did not advance upward.
Perhaps adding another question to my original comments is in order: Should the minimum wage (base wage) also be indexed to time (e.g. step increases) as well?
Way back in the day (1970s) when I started my part time job in high school at the age of 16 [i obtained my work permit on my 16th birthday so I could legally work], I was paid the the minimum wage of $1.60 per hour for @ 20 hours of work per week, no benefits included. Before I left that position, I managed to get a raise to $1.85 per hour before the law raised the rate to $2.00 per hour [according to the Department of Labor that translates to an hourly rate of $8.10 to $9.12 in 2012 adjusted dollars], as an "unskilled employee" learning the ropes of life in the adult working world. In that place and time, such a job was not intended to be a career, such is not always the case today.
At what point does someone go from being unskilled to skilled? What are the indicators of such a transition and what should they be paid at each stage of the progression?
There are examples of how this has been addressed in different places and times (unions, trades (plumbing, electrical, etc...), even in the professions (medical doctors progressing through intern, to resident, to fully qualified). In effect we are all unskilled at the start of our journey (and may become unskilled or less skilled as circumstances change). It is Unfortunate, that some never progress, while other do. At least to some degree this is as much about the start point as it is about those who did not advance upward.
Perhaps adding another question to my original comments is in order: Should the minimum wage (base wage) also be indexed to time (e.g. step increases) as well?
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