Minium Wage/ McD's/ Sense of Entitlement

[lizabu]

That isn't how it has worked when minimum wage was increased here. Anyone making over the new minimum stayed where they were - they might want to still make $3 over minimum wage, but they didn't.

Same with my current job (well over minimum wage). The re-did the salary bands - anyone making less than the new minimum had their salary raised to the new minimum, but no one else had their salaries changed (though, those at the top of the old bands now had room to get a performance increases).

It's a tricky situation. When they raised minimum wage here everyone had to make minimum wage at least. So say you've been with a company 2 years and through your hard work you are now making $1 more than minimum wage. They raise the minimum wage and now you're making exactly the same as the guy who started yesterday. Plus when they raise the minimum wage the next thing they do is raise the price of everything from bread to eggs to gas.

It's a no win situation. I'd love to see everyone be able to support their families but raising the minimum wage just causes the cost if everything to go up. The people who might have been helped by a better wage have to spend more to keep their family fed so they're no further ahead than they were.

 

[ronandannette]

I think the same can be said for some of the posters on this thread. There's at least one who has expressed some rather strong opinions about low wage workers and has previously mentioned a VERY high household income.

Its easy to say go back to school or just start a business when you have no concept of how difficult that is for some people.

There are many tough realities that limit the philosophical concept of "opportunity" in free-market economies. And as inhumane as it may seem, few of us would likely agree on a purely ideological basis with the socialistic ideals of wealth redistribution. But sitting in an ivory tower provides a much different view than being in the trenches.

 

[ChrisFL]

There is a bigger picture here that is the main problem IMO with modern businesses.

I don't disagree that McD workers should get a "living wage"...the idea that people should work 40 hours a week, yet not be able to afford basic necessities is unreasonable.

however, from a modern business perspective, McD is the leader in fast food, but has a lot of competition. They're also (as far as I know) a publically traded company.

McD is bound to its shareholders to maintain profit, if all employees suddenly doubled their salaries, McD stock would probably plummet, even if its just temporary.

Moderm business is concerned only with quarterly earnings, because thats what makes their shareholders happy, and IMO its ruining a lot of things.

 

[bananasplitkids]

I think the same can be said for some of the posters on this thread. There's at least one who has expressed some rather strong opinions about low wage workers and has previously mentioned a VERY high household income.

Its easy to say go back to school or just start a business when you have no concept of how difficult that is for some people.

I just read over this thread I agree how it seems some can't get passed their lifestyle. I hate when people make generalizations about a group of people based on a small amount of people they know, which has been done by some.

 

[Planogirl]

Um, 40 years ago, my father was finishing his PhD (all on his own dime with a wife who didnt' work and 3 kids), my DFIL was working without a degree doing technical writing, my grandfathers worked jobs (one on the railroad, one was delivering milk). None in manufacturing. In fact, I know almost no one whose family members were in manufacturing.

The funny thing is, my DS roommate has a degree in engineering manufacturing and when Detroit car companies fell apart (hmmm, thanks to unions) he couldn't find a job, but guess what he just got a job in his field starting this week, so manufacturing is still out there.

How many people, outside of Detroit worked in manufacturing 40 years ago? Far from the majority.

I'm really getting tired of all the excuses. Do you realize how many people have made a career out of being on unemployment in the last few years?

All of this has very little to do with McDonald's workers wanting double their pay. Seriously? I would love double my pay, but it isn't going to happen and it shouldn't. That's the reality, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Why would people make excuses? Many commenting are certainly working and not at McD's.

At one time the US manufactured virtually everything that we needed. It wasn't just cars. A quick search found this in http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michele-nashhoff/manufacturing-jobs_b_1382704.html

When you understand the multiplier effect of manufacturing jobs, creating 2-3 supporting jobs, this loss of manufacturing jobs represents 11 to 17 million jobs. The report states, "In fact, in January 2012 there were more unemployed Americans (12.8 million) than there were Americans who worked in manufacturing (just under 12 million)." No wonder we have the high local, state, and federal deficits that we are experiencing -- there are fewer taxpayers and more benefit collectors.

As the article states, this change occurred in less than 40 years and continues to evolve. There are slews of articles about our changing economy and the far lower levels of job growth in manufacturing (and farming) are often cited as a huge factor. Those people who formerly had such jobs or would take these jobs as they joined the workforce have to replace them with something.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This is infuriating. People thinking that a Job at Mc'd's is supposed to pay a living wage.

I think any job should pay a living wage. Assuming you work enough hours.

 

[CaliBear]

I am really struggling with the idea that people who can vacation at Deluxe resorts are infuriated that workers want a living wage.

 

[okeydokey]

Also, are you willing to pay %12-15 for a Big Mac? That's what this will get us.

Yes, I am. happily.

 

[usd2bmd]

I am really struggling with the idea that people who can vacation at Deluxe resorts are infuriated that workers want a living wage.

I would tend to agree with this statement... Kind if ironic that they don't think that everyone should make a living wage if they are employed full time.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

For the person who said not everyone can afford to go to college. Let me explain how being poor works. I have been there. If you are so poor you cannot afford college then you will probably qualify for a Pell grant up to $2500 per semester(it was $2500 about 10 years ago, may be more now) and you can go to a community college and get an Associates Degree for basically free. Tuition and books paid for. That option is available to anybody who is poor.

back when my DS28 was college age we made a low income (me and the ex) and Ds was able to go to community college and get his books for free plus they gave him $500 a semester in cash for extra expenses. No student loans.

It may not be a B.A but it is something. It is better than no degree at all. And in some professions like nursing an Associates can get you a $20 an hour job.

Education is available if you seek it out.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

And for the lady who said even though she makes below poverty level income and yet they still take taxes out of your check...Yes they probably do but when you file your tax return at the beginning of the year you should be getting almost all of that back unless you are single, not married and have no kids. Then you might have to pay a few dollars in taxes but in most cases you will actually qualify for an earned income credit and get back MORE MONEY from the government than you actually paid in. Poor ppl don't pay taxes.

 

[sunshinehighway]

For the person who said not everyone can afford to go to college. Let me explain how being poor works. I have been there. If you are so poor you cannot afford college then you will probably qualify for a Pell grant up to $2500 per semester(it was $2500 about 10 years ago, may be more now) and you can go to a community college and get an Associates Degree for basically free. Tuition and books paid for. That option is available to anybody who is poor.

back when my DS28 was college age we made a low income (me and the ex) and Ds was able to go to community college and get his books for free plus they gave him $500 a semester in cash for extra expenses. No student loans.

It may not be a B.A but it is something. It is better than no degree at all. And in some professions like nursing an Associates can get you a $20 an hour job.

Education is available if you seek it out.

Its really not just that simple for everyone.

Let say you can just go for free as you said. What about transportation You have to be able to get there for classes. Its not as easy to do when you live in an area with limited public transportation, you have no vehicle and its unsafe to use a bike 4or 5 months a year because of weather.
What if you have children? Lets say you are a single parent. Are you going to pay someone to watch those kids while you are in class and travelling to and from school?

Besides, getting some type of degree or certificate or training doesnt always mean a better job.
I have a relative who found herself without a job at 48. She decided to take it as a chance to "improve" herself as some posters like to say. She decided to go back to school and enrolled in a program at a local community college. She did great and graduated only to spend 6 months going on interview after interview. Sending in tons of resumes and getting no reply. She finally landed a job. Part time, $9/hr. A year later, she still sends out resumes and goes on interviews, hoping to either get a better full time job or even just a second part time one.
She's lucky because her husband makes good enough $ and has good benefits. If she didn't have him, going back to school would have been a total waste. She'd never be able to support herself with that education she got to make her life better.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Also, are you willing to pay %12-15 for a Big Mac? That's what this will get us.

To be perfectly honest, we SHOULD be paying more for a Big Mac. The prices at fast food restaurants are economically unsustainable in the long term; they're only good for a small percentage of people in the short term.

 

[lizabu]

For the person who said not everyone can afford to go to college. Let me explain how being poor works. I have been there. If you are so poor you cannot afford college then you will probably qualify for a Pell grant up to $2500 per semester(it was $2500 about 10 years ago, may be more now) and you can go to a community college and get an Associates Degree for basically free. Tuition and books paid for. That option is available to anybody who is poor.

back when my DS28 was college age we made a low income (me and the ex) and Ds was able to go to community college and get his books for free plus they gave him $500 a semester in cash for extra expenses. No student loans.

It may not be a B.A but it is something. It is better than no degree at all. And in some professions like nursing an Associates can get you a $20 an hour job.

Education is available if you seek it out.

Ok and let's say you're poor plus you have a learning disability or you can't read. The world doesn't wait around for you to catch up. The rent has to be paid and the baby has to be fed. It would be great if it was easy for everyone but its not.

 

[luvsJack]

For the person who said not everyone can afford to go to college. Let me explain how being poor works. I have been there. If you are so poor you cannot afford college then you will probably qualify for a Pell grant up to $2500 per semester(it was $2500 about 10 years ago, may be more now) and you can go to a community college and get an Associates Degree for basically free. Tuition and books paid for. That option is available to anybody who is poor.

back when my DS28 was college age we made a low income (me and the ex) and Ds was able to go to community college and get his books for free plus they gave him $500 a semester in cash for extra expenses. No student loans.

It may not be a B.A but it is something. It is better than no degree at all. And in some professions like nursing an Associates can get you a $20 an hour job.

Education is available if you seek it out.

A full pell is about $2758 a semester. Most get some sort of refund after their tuition and books are paid at community college. Of course tuition goes up so the refund goes down.

Even with a refund of $1000, do you think that is going to pay their living expenses for the semester? And with programs like the ADN you mention and other medical programs (these seem to give them a bigger chance at a job) you cannot hold down a job. There really is more to it than you are counting.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

Its really not just that simple for everyone.

Let say you can just go for free as you said. What about transportation You have to be able to get there for classes. Its not as easy to do when you live in an area with limited public transportation, you have no vehicle and its unsafe to use a bike 4or 5 months a year because of weather.
What if you have children? Lets say you are a single parent. Are you going to pay someone to watch those kids while you are in class and travelling to and from school?

Besides, getting some type of degree or certificate or training doesnt always mean a better job.
I have a relative who found herself without a job at 48. She decided to take it as a chance to "improve" herself as some posters like to say. She decided to go back to school and enrolled in a program at a local community college. She did great and graduated only to spend 6 months going on interview after interview. Sending in tons of resumes and getting no reply. She finally landed a job. Part time, $9/hr. A year later, she still sends out resumes and goes on interviews, hoping to either get a better full time job or even just a second part time one.
She's lucky because her husband makes good enough $ and has good benefits. If she didn't have him, going back to school would have been a total waste. She'd never be able to support herself with that education she got to make her life better.

If you can't get a ride back and forth to school how are you going to get a ride back and forth to work?

There are always a thousand excuses why ppl can't do something.

If ppl can't go to school because they are 19 and have 3 kids under age 4 and can't afford day care then usually those are the ppl our tax dollars will support for the rest of their lives and probably their kid's lives. So they aren't the ones working at McD's anyway.

As for someone not being able to pay their living expenses with $1000 refund you would get from the Pell grant, most ppl I have ever known in my life have gone to college while they still live at home with their parents. Most ppl don't wait until they are grown have families and lose a job at 35 to try to go to school.

If that is the case and they never went to school when they could then I say they are in a bad situation because of their own choices.

If you can't survive off the Pell grant refund then get a job while you are going to school. get 2 jobs. I did. I went to college full time with a family and held two jobs. If you want it bad enough you will find a way to better yourself and better your life.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Observation: When I was in college, minimum wage was $4.25. A Big Mac value meal was about $4. Now, minimum wage is $7-something and a Big Mac value meal is close to $7.

My family does eat fast food a couple of times per week. If it suddenly costs us $35 instead of $25 we won't go as often because even though my husband makes more than average his salary won't go up if the minimum wage is raised. If we eat out less because the price has gone up, McD's won't need as many employees so they'll lay people off or won't hire new people when others quit. I fail to see how this helps low-wage workers.

 

[sasywtch]

I am really struggling with the idea that people who can vacation at Deluxe resorts are infuriated that workers want a living wage.

Because the price of their Big Mac would go up LOL
Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[sasywtch]

For the person who said not everyone can afford to go to college. Let me explain how being poor works. I have been there. If you are so poor you cannot afford college then you will probably qualify for a Pell grant up to $2500 per semester(it was $2500 about 10 years ago, may be more now) and you can go to a community college and get an Associates Degree for basically free. Tuition and books paid for. That option is available to anybody who is poor.

back when my DS28 was college age we made a low income (me and the ex) and Ds was able to go to community college and get his books for free plus they gave him $500 a semester in cash for extra expenses. No student loans.

It may not be a B.A but it is something. It is better than no degree at all. And in some professions like nursing an Associates can get you a $20 an hour job.

Education is available if you seek it out.

The problem with that theory is, some people including myself are just above that line where school is not free. However, rent in an ok apartment is $1000 a month here. To get free education here, you have to make below 1400.
By the time you pay for rent, food, gas, electric, insurance, you are above that 1400 so that "poor job" you can't live on so no free school.

Not making excuses of why not as my kids all paid their own way through school while working but the above scenerio is unrealistic in CA unless on assistance. Then we get to the debate of "pay taxes to afford someone to go to school on my dime".

My daughter makes ok money in management at McDs. Her owner does reward managment well as they schedule, count/balance the money, deal with all the personnel issues (in fast food, that could be a full time job with everyone arguing with each other), ordering, knowing how much to order, verifying sanitary issues, working 10 hour days, etc.

 

[sunshinehighway]

If you can't get a ride back and forth to school how are you going to get a ride back and forth to work?

There are always a thousand excuses why ppl can't do something.

If ppl can't go to school because they are 19 and have 3 kids under age 4 and can't afford day care then usually those are the ppl our tax dollars will support for the rest of their lives and probably their kid's lives. So they aren't the ones working at McD's anyway.

As for someone not being able to pay their living expenses with $1000 refund you would get from the Pell grant, most ppl I have ever known in my life have gone to college while they still live at home with their parents. Most ppl don't wait until they are grown have families and lose a job at 35 to try to go to school.

If that is the case and they never went to school when they could then I say they are in a bad situation because of their own choices.

If you can't survive off the Pell grant refund then get a job while you are going to school. get 2 jobs. I did. I went to college full time with a family and held two jobs. If you want it bad enough you will find a way to better yourself and better your life.

Many people get the low paying jobs they do because that's what they can get to.
Its really not as easy for many people as you seem to think it is. If you don't have a car, you might not be able to work and go to school because of the time it takes to get from one to the other. School and 2 jobs? That will be even harder. Add a kid in that mix and its even more difficult.

If most people you know go to college when they are younger and living with their parents, you are talking about a totally different group. Its not as easy for someone who is supporting him/herself to do it. Supporting a kid also just makes it even more difficult.