Minium Wage/ McD's/ Sense of Entitlement

[eliza61]

This is infuriating. People thinking that a Job at Mc'd's is supposed to pay a living wage.
They want $15. joke, right. They haven't been informed that wages that high mean higher prices for food, less FT workers, less benefits.

I'm all for standing up for what you believe in, but in this case I would demand anyone picketing to sit thru a semester of ECONOMICS 101.

but carrie, also remember one other issue from Econ 101.

Low wage jobs hinder your economy. this is what we see happening now.

The U.S. economy is a consumer based one. Money and goods have to flow, move exchange. We've been seeing jobs in the private sector grow but 70% of them have been low wage jobs. those do nothing for your economy. If you are barely surviving you definitely not spending.

The second issue is and this maybe regional but unemployment is equal to about 12-13 bucks a hour, if there are no jobs paying at least that, what's the incentive to work?

Now let's through in college student who cannot find full time work and have 20K in student loans. and I don't care how many here go on about how affordable tuition can be, when most of our young adults are coming saddled with loans. so in order to have some thing they end up at fast food places.

two years ago in NJ, I felt so bad for the kids. the jobs at the jersey shore that they usually get for the summer were now being manned by adults who have been out of work.

Now I don't know about the conditions of the strike, haven't read this latest story but 7.25/hour in southern NJ/Philly is crazy. You are on welfare if you try to live off of that.

 

[bdcp]

You do realize that there are many people working in fast food and other minimum wage jobs that never intended to be there, right? Most had other plans. Some even have an education.

Education isn't always the key and there is much more to the success equation.

Education can make a huge difference if people are willing to move where there are jobs. Too many people expect to stay where they grew up or where they currently live and find aj ob. Not always possible. Put on your big girl pants an move where you can get a job. A lot of those people working fast food jobs because they can't find another job aren't willing to move where there are jobs. Education is a huge part of employment and I'm not talking psychology or art history degrees. I'm talking degrees/certifications in things like IT, computer science, etc where there are JOBS.

And, since we can't talk politics, I'll tiptoe around this one, but it's becoming the profitable way for businesses to go to hire part time workers, THINK- health insurance. I'm just saying....

It's also become the way to go to be gov dependent. It's how socialism works.

 

[crazelion]

In many places in this country, college educated people can't get anything more than a job at McDonalds. They HAVE to do something to pay some of their bills. It makes me so sad to see such callousness towards the people struggling to make ends meet on two or three jobs. I rarely eat at McDonalds but I would gladly pay a lot more for my Big Mac and iced tea if it meant someone else would get a better wage for working. I'd rather they have a job and make enough to rent a small place and eat 3 meals a day than be on welfare. I'll do my part to make that happen.

Good answer. I have several friends that is teachers just got laid off there jobs for the coming school year. Sometimes MC Donalds is the only job that will hire you. I have several degrees and I am working at Wendy's as shift leader because that is only job that I can found. Jobs is very hard found right now even with college education. A lot big companies in my area is laying off workers with a college education.

I keep hearing the future teacher, and nurses. Funny thing is they all getting lay off

 

[Neelloc]

They also are asking for $15 an hour (and walked off the job) in St Louis; where we have a very low cost of living.

BTW, garbage collector is actually a pretty decent job most places. IIRC, they average $85-90,000 a year in parts of NJ.

$7.25 per hour X 40 hours per week X 52 weeks= $15,000.00 per year GROSS

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/12poverty.shtml

$15.00 per hour X 40 hours per week X 52 weeks+= $31,200 per year GROSS

National poverty level for family of 4 in 2012: $23,000.00

I live in Buffalo, NY, which probably has a similar cost of living to St. Louis, but I know my state taxes are higher. I sincerely doubt that one could afford to pay for rent, food, utilities, medical expenses, transportation costs, etc on minimum wage. Even if it was 2 adults making minimum wage, with small children, if you added in child care expenses then forget it.

 

[JakeJenna]

Education can make a huge difference if people are willing to move where there are jobs. Too many people expect to stay where they grew up or where they currently live and find aj ob. Not always possible. Put on your big girl pants an move where you can get a job. A lot of those people working fast food jobs because they can't find another job aren't willing to move where there are jobs. Education is a huge part of employment and I'm not talking psychology or art history degrees. I'm talking degrees/certifications in things like IT, computer science, etc where there are JOBS.

And, since we can't talk politics, I'll tiptoe around this one, but it's becoming the profitable way for businesses to go to hire part time workers, THINK- health insurance. I'm just saying....

It's also become the way to go to be gov dependent. It's how socialism works.

I've moved cross country several times with my family, it's not cheap. With what they are making at McDonalds it would take about three months salary to fund my last move.

 

[Neelloc]

Education can make a huge difference if people are willing to move where there are jobs. Too many people expect to stay where they grew up or where they currently live and find aj ob. Not always possible. Put on your big girl pants an move where you can get a job. A lot of those people working fast food jobs because they can't find another job aren't willing to move where there are jobs. Education is a huge part of employment and I'm not talking psychology or art history degrees. I'm talking degrees/certifications in things like IT, computer science, etc where there are JOBS.

If one cannot afford to exist on their minimum wage job, then how does one save up enough money to move and obtain an education to get a better job? Catch 22.

 

[eliza61]

I will share this parenting advise tip I gave my kids forever:

"See all this: the House, the Cars the Pool, the Bikes, the TV's, not to mention vacations"

"You can not have all this working at TACO BELL".

23 and 20 and I bet they could say this verbatim because I told them so often enough. It was my mantra to make sure they stayed in school. It worked.

and when they get out of school will that mantra help them find a job?

not being flippant but there are an entire class of college graduates who are fully aware of what they are supposed to do and have done it and yet are still unemployed.

Luvsjack said it best, not every kid is an engineer, not every kid is an computer science major. a 50 year old who has been laid off, doesn't relish being supported on government assistance.

 

[luvsJack]

Education can make a huge difference if people are willing to move where there are jobs. Too many people expect to stay where they grew up or where they currently live and find aj ob. Not always possible. Put on your big girl pants an move where you can get a job. A lot of those people working fast food jobs because they can't find another job aren't willing to move where there are jobs. Education is a huge part of employment and I'm not talking psychology or art history degrees. I'm talking degrees/certifications in things like IT, computer science, etc where there are JOBS.

And, since we can't talk politics, I'll tiptoe around this one, but it's becoming the profitable way for businesses to go to hire part time workers, THINK- health insurance. I'm just saying....

It's also become the way to go to be gov dependent. It's how socialism works.

I haven't worked in fast food for many years but let me explain something to you.

Single mother, two small children, no other job available so takes a job in fast food.

She goes to school for one of the things you list but there are no jobs available in her area so she stays in fast food. Just move you say?

With what? Its taking everything she makes to keep food on the table and clothes on her children's backs. Should she just up and move and let her children live in her car?

Your solution may be grand for some but it doesn't work for everyone.

As for the full time hours, fast food full time hours have ALWAYS been less than 40. It has nothing to do with health care. It has to do with scheduling and there always being enough leeway to make sure no one gets overtime.

 

[Janet Hill]

Since everyone deserves a living wage and low wage jobs hurt the economy, I believe everyone should make at least 65k/year.

We will all be better off.

 

[skatalite]

When it comes to minimum wage jobs, you pay for the position, not the person.

"Thinking has become so emotional and so politically bias on the subject of wages that, in most discussions of them, the plainest principles are ignored. People who would be among the first to deny that prosperity could be brought about by artificially boosting prices, people who would be among the first to point out that minimum price laws might be most harmful to the very industries they were designed to help, will nevertheless advocate minimum wage laws, and denounce opponents of them, without misgivings.

"The first thing that happens, for example, when a law is passed that no one shall be paid less than $9 per hour is that no one who is not worth $9 per hour to an employer will be employed at all. You cannot make a man worth a given amount by making it illegal for anyone to offer him anything less. You merely deprive him of the right to earn the amount that his abilities and situation would permit him to earn, while you deprive the community even of the moderate services that he is capable of rendering.

"In brief, for a low wage you substitute unemployment. You do harm all around, with no comparable compensation."  "Economics in One Lesson," by Henry Hazlitt

 

[lizabu]

I don't think there's anything wrong with paying a living wage to fast food workers. If you think it's such an easy job just try it. You're on your feet all day. People treat you like crap. You have to be fast and accurate. The floors get slippery. You're constantly moving.

Oh I know there are people who think there is no excuse for not going to college but the fact is not everyone has the option. Sure you see the occasional made for TV movie about the kid who beats the odds and rises above his situation and becomes a Harvard grad or the kids who gets the all expense paid ride through university due to his athletic ability. Or maybe he was a janitor when suddenly it's discovered he is some kind of math genius. But there's a reason these stories are made into movies. They are not very common things to happen.

 

[ronandannette]

but carrie, also remember one other issue from Econ 101.

Low wage jobs hinder your economy. this is what we see happening now.

The U.S. economy is a consumer based one. Money and goods have to flow, move exchange. We've been seeing jobs in the private sector grow but 70% of them have been low wage jobs. those do nothing for your economy. If you are barely surviving you definitely not spending.

The second issue is and this maybe regional but unemployment is equal to about 12-13 bucks a hour, if there are no jobs paying at least that, what's the incentive to work?
Now let's through in college student who cannot find full time work and have 20K in student loans. and I don't care how many here go on about how affordable tuition can be, when most of our young adults are coming saddled with loans. so in order to have some thing they end up at fast food places.

two years ago in NJ, I felt so bad for the kids. the jobs at the jersey shore that they usually get for the summer were now being manned by adults who have been out of work.

Now I don't know about the conditions of the strike, haven't read this latest story but 7.25/hour in southern NJ/Philly is crazy. You are on welfare if you try to live off of that.

Quick question (a little OT, sorry): Are your unemployment payments a flat rate or do they depend on the income level of your previous job?

 

[eliza61]

Since everyone deserves a living wage and low wage jobs hurt the economy, I believe everyone should make at least 65k/year.

We will all be better off.

So for me, I am not saying that everyone should make a living wage but I am saying that we cannot have a thriving economy when 70% of your workforce can't pay rent and live.

Now the problem is the entire game has changed. You're right, it use to be a time when Mcdonald's was a persons first job, you worked there, got some experience and moved on. now for many whether be it through lack of education or no job options it's the only option.
there's got to be some 1/2 way point. My company just announce that after Jan 1 they will no longer offer retirement. All the while posting record gain and share prices increasing.

 

[jrmasm]

Feel blessed. We got 0. Last year was 1% but knowing the college budget first hand, we felt lucky to get that and really appreciate our college president for going to bat for us.

I don't think they should get a raise = to double what they are making now; but I do think they should make more than minimum wage.

Who should make minimum wage?

 

[bdcp]

I don't think there's anything wrong with paying a living wage to fast food workers. If you think it's such an easy job just try it. You're on your feet all day. People treat you like crap. You have to be fast and accurate. The floors get slippery. You're constantly moving.

Oh I know there are people who think there is no excuse for not going to college but the fact is not everyone has the option. Sure you see the occasional made for TV movie about the kid who beats the odds and rises above his situation and becomes a Harvard grad or the kids who gets the all expense paid ride through university due to his athletic ability. Or maybe he was a janitor when suddenly it's discovered he is some kind of math genius. But there's a reason these stories are made into movies. They are not very common things to happen.

Um, a lot of us did work those type jobs while in hs/college (and our sons did too). I'm so tired of the bleeding hearts who think that no one can make it. That's why we have so many co-dependents in this country today. Your second paragraph is crap.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Little newsflash from 2013 in Jersey, $15 an hour, not a lot of money. You can make that kind of money and still be struggling. Especially if you are a single parent. This thread made my heart freeze a little bit. Must be nice to not have to work with the dregs of society.

 

[eliza61]

Quick question (a little OT, sorry): Are your unemployment payments a flat rate or do they depend on the income level of your previous job?

they are calculated on your income but the benefit is capped

 

[bdcp]

So for me, I am not saying that everyone should make a living wage but I am saying that we cannot have a thriving economy when 70% of your workforce can't pay rent and live.

Now the problem is the entire game has changed. You're right, it use to be a time when Mcdonald's was a persons first job, you worked there, got some experience and moved on. now for many whether be it through lack of education or no job options it's the only option.
there's got to be some 1/2 way point. My company just announce that after Jan 1 they will no longer offer retirement. All the while posting record gain and share prices increasing.

The majority of DH and I's "retirement" is 401k's and savings. We have never been dependent on our employer or the gov. Where'd you get the 70% number? I have family and friends all across the country and they are all doing fine. The ones that aren't have chosen to be dependent on the Gov., which means those of us that pay taxes. As I've said previously, that is unsustainable. Our current administration is creating this dependent society and a lot of people/supporters have their head in the sand.

This is an interesting topic on a board where almost everyone goes to WDW once per year....

 

[eliza61]

The majority of DH and I's "retirement" is 401k's and savings. We have never been dependent on our employer or the gov. Where'd you get the 70% number? I have family and friends all across the country and they are all doing fine. The ones that aren't have chosen to be dependent on the Gov., which means those of us that pay taxes. As I've said previously, that is unsustainable. Our current administration is creating this dependent society and a lot of people/supporters have their head in the sand.

BCP what are you talking about where did I say someone is dependent on the government?

I said my company announce is cutting the pension benefit. Sorry sweetie but that is not dependent. My employee is benefiting from me. they work me 50 hours a week. I have fulfilled my part of my contract with them. yes I earned my pension. what's that got to do with your retirement. I didn't say a blessed thing about it.

I did not say 70% of the people are dependent on the government. I did not utter government assistance in any way

Please do not start the usually rant of I'm paying for someone to be on welfare. It's old, stale, untrue and has nothing to do with what I said.

Yeesh.

here is the link to what I was talking about. It's about how we are becoming a nation of hamburger flippers.
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/dail...lippers-dan-alpert-breaks-down-145831220.html

I do apologize because I should have said the entire quote. the entire quote should have been 70% of the jobs created the last two quarters where what are considered "extremely low wage" jobs.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

$7.25 per hour X 40 hours per week X 52 weeks= $15,000.00 per year GROSS

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/12poverty.shtml

$15.00 per hour X 40 hours per week X 52 weeks+= $31,200 per year GROSS

National poverty level for family of 4 in 2012: $23,000.00

I live in Buffalo, NY, which probably has a similar cost of living to St. Louis, but I know my state taxes are higher. I sincerely doubt that one could afford to pay for rent, food, utilities, medical expenses, transportation costs, etc on minimum wage. Even if it was 2 adults making minimum wage, with small children, if you added in child care expenses then forget it.

I don't dispute any of that, simply stating this isn't ONLY going on in high cost of living areas.

FWIW, I remember FF places in STL area advertising starting pay at $10 per hour a couple years back. No idea if they still do - supply & demand, and supply
of workers is currently high.

Side note, my wife makes less than $15,000 a year.