Black Friday - Walmart Strike?

[Becky2005]

Then they had an interview with a Walmart Executive and that Carol Whatshername from CNN was yelling at him because WalMart is not providing Middle Class wages and health care to all its employees. I cannot even imagine the ruckus that would ensue the day WalMart and all the other retailers raised their prices high enough to pay middle class wages to their part-time cashiers and stock people. There would be panic and protests from coast to coast if that happened.

I just heard on the news that someone was saying they thought that Wal-Mart should pay ALL employees $15/hour!!!!! It was supposedly as striking worker said that is how much they should be paying all employees. I don't know *any* retail store that pays that as a starting wage! At least not around here, it is basically minimum wage -- that goes for Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc... I can't think of a single one that would say pay their cashiers $15/hour. It is hard enough to find a retail job around here as it is and that is with min. wage or slightly above.

 

[Kteacher]

Why is it so outrageous that people should be paid a living wage

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I just heard on the news that someone was saying they thought that Wal-Mart should pay ALL employees $15/hour!!!!! It was supposedly as striking worker said that is how much they should be paying all employees. I don't know *any* retail store that pays that as a starting wage! At least not around here, it is basically minimum wage -- that goes for Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc... I can't think of a single one that would say pay their cashiers $15/hour. It is hard enough to find a retail job around here as it is and that is with min. wage or slightly above.

I know of a few college grads who aren't making that right now so I am not sure why a Wal-Mart employee who has little to no lucrative skills things they should be making that.

 

[JessicaR]

If Walmart isn't a minimum wage paying job, what is?

 

[Reddy]

Why is it so outrageous that people should be paid a living wage

because if they paid more than miniwage for a HS student first job - why would any of them want a better job??
how do you think they keep cost low?? if first job or part-timers got a "living wage" - how long until that isn't enough??

Wal-mart isn't place to raise a family on unless you get into mangement - why people keep thinking they can is belong me - but then it seems like everyone wants a job where they do nothing & get paid big bucks

this country needs to be making things instead of importing them - quit sending the jobs to China

 

[Kteacher]

Great book called "Nickel and Dimed". well worth a read.

 

[RitaE]

Great book called "Nickel and Dimed". well worth a read.

Actually I read that years ago and found it inherently flawed.

 

[Kteacher]

Actually I read that years ago and found it inherently flawed.

Well then I guess we can agree to disagree

 

[tvguy]

Why is it so outrageous that people should be paid a living wage

Living wage is a term that is nearly impossible to define. There have been some long debates on this board, with numerous examples of people making near minimum wage and living just fine, to folks living paycheck to paycheck on $125,000 a year. So, I don't see a point to debate that again, but here is what I like about how Walmart's hiring practices differ from the other stores here.


1) Actively recruiting those with physical and mental disabilities.

2) Actively recruiting those who are well past retirement age, but either want to work, or need the extra cash.

3) Actively recruiting those who have never worked before.

 

[JessicaR]

Living wage is a term that is nearly impossible to define. There have been some long debates on this board, with numerous examples of people making near minimum wage and living just fine, to folks living paycheck to paycheck on $125,000 a year. So, I don't see a point to debate that again, but here is what I like about how Walmart's hiring practices differ from the other stores here.


1) Actively recruiting those with physical and mental disabilities.

2) Actively recruiting those who are well past retirement age, but either want to work, or need the extra cash.

3) Actively recruiting those who have never worked before.

I like these practices too!

 

[luvmy3]

Why is it so outrageous that people should be paid a living wage

Why is it so outrageous that people should be paid a wage based on their skill or education level? Here's a thought, if you want a "living wage" and your Walmart job is giving it to you, go to school get an education and go out and find a job that pays you what you are worth, because the truth is as a stock clerk, or a cashier your skills aren't worth $15 an hour.

 

[Muushka]

I don't know about anyone else, but many years ago, when minimum wage was just that, minimum $$, I received the basis of my resume. Because the grocery store didn't have to pay me a lot of money (I started out at $1.60 an hour and was grateful for the job), they were able to hire HS students who wanted to work and were willing to work for minimum wage.

Because back then stores could afford to hire 2 HS students for the price of 1 full timer, I gained valuable experience. I learned work ethics, responsibility, customer service and a host of other skills. I learned what a job was and what I had to do to keep it.

How is the raising of minimum wage working out for HS students today?
Are all students who would love to have a job able to work part-time?

And in case anyone has dreams that everyone receive this so called 'living wage' which would change each and every day depending on who is determining this elusive number, no matter how much you dream that 'the man' that is the one who owns the business will take a cut in profit. Wake up. Not going to happen. The business will either raise prices or shut down.

 

[dakcp2001]

I just heard on the news that someone was saying they thought that Wal-Mart should pay ALL employees $15/hour!!!!! It was supposedly as striking worker said that is how much they should be paying all employees. I don't know *any* retail store that pays that as a starting wage! At least not around here, it is basically minimum wage -- that goes for Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc... I can't think of a single one that would say pay their cashiers $15/hour. It is hard enough to find a retail job around here as it is and that is with min. wage or slightly above.

What state are they in? The workers who want $15? Because it really makes a HUGE difference. It is all misplaced outrage from people who don't understand that different areas have different costs, like the hostess employee making 48K a year for GASP "working as a lowly receiving clerk" but we tend to lose sight of the fact that New York has a much higher cost of living then a lot of other places in the US. So while living in Mississippi and making 48K as a clerk or whatnot might seem like a lot of money, living in New York or Massachusetts makes a pretty big difference in pay-scale.

It is all relative folks. If people of Walmart want to stick together and take a stand, I say good for them. Stand up for what you believe in and if you don't like what you have, you need to do what you can to change it. Walmart is a disgusting company. I do not shop there, period. I feel sorry for anyone who does work there, although they could go elsewhere if it is that bad. BUt I am not going to begrudge someone else because they have something they feel strongly about and want to take a stand against something they see as unfair. It is their freedom to do so.

I would rather stick a pen in my eye than participate in Black Friday. I think it is ridiculous. And let us be honest the best deals are going to be closer to Christmas, not the day the retailers can guarantee a huge amount of sales. I;d rather spend time with my family. You could not pay me enough to go shopping with all the people out there this weekend, I'd rather pay double and go when it is less crowded.

 

[mefordis]

I just heard on the news that someone was saying they thought that Wal-Mart should pay ALL employees $15/hour!!!!! It was supposedly as striking worker said that is how much they should be paying all employees. I don't know *any* retail store that pays that as a starting wage! At least not around here, it is basically minimum wage -- that goes for Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc... I can't think of a single one that would say pay their cashiers $15/hour. It is hard enough to find a retail job around here as it is and that is with min. wage or slightly above.

They should. I pay my housekeeper $25/hour.

 

[dakcp2001]

because if they paid more than miniwage for a HS student first job - why would any of them want a better job??
how do you think they keep cost low?? if first job or part-timers got a "living wage" - how long until that isn't enough??

Wal-mart isn't place to raise a family on unless you get into mangement - why people keep thinking they can is belong me - but then it seems like everyone wants a job where they do nothing & get paid big bucks

this country needs to be making things instead of importing them - quit sending the jobs to China

We can't because too many people buy their cheap plastic crap at Walmart and Walmart won't pay for US made merchandise when they can outsource it to China. US factories can't compete with slave labor profit margins. Do you see the irony in your post?

 

[amg35]

Why is it so outrageous that people should be paid a wage based on their skill or education level? Here's a thought, if you want a "living wage" and your Walmart job is giving it to you, go to school get an education and go out and find a job that pays you what you are worth, because the truth is as a stock clerk, or a cashier your skills aren't worth $15 an hour.

Seriously.

I worked at Express when I was in high school for a couple of years. They paid minimum wage. I got raises every year, would expect nothing different. I was either folding/hanging up clothes, or ringing up sales.

Do I believe companies should offer full time employees health insurance? Yes.

Do I believe companies should pay overtime when applicable? Yes.

Other than that, wage is based on experience and job duties.

 

[Southernmiss]

What state are they in? The workers who want $15? Because it really makes a HUGE difference. It is all misplaced outrage from people who don't understand that different areas have different costs, like the hostess employee making 48K a year for GASP "working as a lowly receiving clerk" but we tend to lose sight of the fact that New York has a much higher cost of living then a lot of other places in the US. So while living in Mississippi and making 48K as a clerk or whatnot might seem like a lot of money, living in New York or Massachusetts makes a pretty big difference in pay-scale.

It is all relative folks. If people of Walmart want to stick together and take a stand, I say good for them. Stand up for what you believe in and if you don't like what you have, you need to do what you can to change it. Walmart is a disgusting company. I do not shop there, period. I feel sorry for anyone who does work there, although they could go elsewhere if it is that bad. BUt I am not going to begrudge someone else because they have something they feel strongly about and want to take a stand against something they see as unfair. It is their freedom to do so.

I would rather stick a pen in my eye than participate in Black Friday. I think it is ridiculous. And let us be honest the best deals are going to be closer to Christmas, not the day the retailers can guarantee a huge amount of sales. I;d rather spend time with my family. You could not pay me enough to go shopping with all the people out there this weekend, I'd rather pay double and go when it is less crowded.

Yes, that would be a lot of money for a clerk working in Mississippi. Many degreed professionals--teachers, entry level accountants, etc. do not make this much in Mississippi.

But, while our cost of living is not like that of New York City, I would not consider it a very low cost of living area either.

$15 an hour for Walmart-wow, I can't imagine. I am with those who do not think that minimum wage should be raised. I believe that it would only inflate the prices of other goods and services.

DS is making $8 an hour at American Eagle as a seasonal employee. This is decent for a part time job for a young student. It also teaches him that his higher education is important, because he sees how far $8 an hour does not go.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

They should. I pay my housekeeper $25/hour.

Your housekeeper is making median HOUSEHOLD income if that's the case.

 

[mefordis]

Great book called "Nickel and Dimed". well worth a read.

Good book.

 

[mefordis]

Your housekeeper is making median HOUSEHOLD income if that's the case.

Okay.