US fast-food workers staging nationwide strike

[PaulinVA]

My point is that some folks have become so sure that their degree(s) entitle them to higher pay and to employment that is “not beneath them” that they have forgotten what honest work is. The man who made this remark to my father thought his degree entitled him to more pay and even a promotion.

I have two kids in college right now, and we have pondered the question of what a college education gives one. It does impart knowledge. It does impart a sense of “okay, It’s stupid, but I’ll do it without complaining” . It raises expectations. Raising expectations is how people become successful. It’s a good thing to want to have a salaried position and not an hourly position. It’s a good thing to expect the most from yourself.

I think what you are really concerned about is empathy for the working poor. Just like the worst person to talk to about quitting smoking is a former smoker (we mainly don’t accept excuses for not quitting since we’ve quit and everyone should be able to do it). Well, someone who has worked low wage or menial jobs and worked themselves into a successful position feels the same way about people complaining about their low wage job.

All work is good and meaningful unless it is for harmful intent. Treating people like idiots because they have a “low skill job” is mean and certainly not in line with being a Christian. Actually by what you said I think you do understand what I was getting at.

I agree that treating low wage earners like idiots is wrong. Just because you have a degree doesn’t make you qualified or give you the ability to flaunt your “success” in front of others. BUT, I think what a lot of people here are saying is that if you are unhappy in your unskilled, low paying job, instead of agitating for an unrealistic minimum wage, increase your skills and better yourself to deserve a higher wage.

 

[qui_est_ce]

I agree that treating low wage earners like idiots is wrong. Just because you have a degree doesn’t make you qualified or give you the ability to flaunt your “success” in front of others. BUT, I think what a lot of people here are saying is that if you are unhappy in your unskilled, low paying job, instead of agitating for an unrealistic minimum wage, increase your skills and better yourself to deserve a higher wage.

You completely verbalized what was nagging me about this whole situation. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but you did.

 

[Dawnia]

If the economy didn’t stink so bad, there would be better paying jobs for people to move into. But, there is not and raising the minimum wage isn’t going encourage job growth one bit. It’s not the employer’s fault that the economy stinks. Why should they be held responsible for people who can’t find a job except for low paying, part-time work?

In DC 2 new Walmarts have 600 openings. 23K people applied for those jobs. It’s pretty sad when people are practically fighting over low paying Walmart jobs. Fix the economic issues and you’ll fix many of the pay issues.

 

[mikekle]

You are right about the US economy, it is heading downhill very fast, Ive looked at some figures and it is absolutely terrifying to think what is coming to the US, a nation can only go for so long doing the same thing, trying to print their way out of trouble, this will only lead to much worse problems.

I think the prices and pay rates in Australia are a good example, if they can pay employees that much and prices remain about the same, then something is wrong in the US model of these same exact companies…Id bet it has something to do with companies in the US are NEVER happy with ANY profits, it always has to be more and more.

Geez, these low level employees are what brings in those huge profits, McDonalds and other companies like it need to remember that. It is sad IMO it takes a literal act of congress to force companies to pay employees a certain amount, there was once a time when an employee could go to their boss if they were having financial problems, or needed to make more money and ask for a raise, and their bosses would usually give them one, Ive heard about this from many older people, BOY, how that has changed!! Now, it does not matter who you are, at some of these companies you are just a body and every single person hired is given the EXACT same amount…Id love to know, how, out of 1000s of employees, they can basically say they are ALL worth the same exact amount per hour LOL This used to be based on a persons skills, their work ethic, and other personal factors.

Maybe these large companies need to look to the past in how they deal with employees?

I will be honest, when I learned about how much Australia employees are paid by the same companies that operate in the US, I was amazed and made me somewhat less patriotic, in the US, it is clear to me, its all about GREED.

 

[Morwenna]

I think the prices and pay rates in Australia are a good example, if they can pay employees that much and prices remain about the same, then something is wrong in the US model of these same exact companies.

I’d like to respond to this, but first can you please clarify what you mean by the **bolded **section above? The same as … ?

 

[adawgj]

I would hope not. People need jobs and they need to be gainfully compensated for them. This"trickle a few pennies down to the idiots mentality" in this country needs to stop. Wages have been fairly stagnant since the early 80’s or at least have not kept up with the cost of living, that is unless you are among the top 1%.

Yes I hope they do not lose their jobs either, but when people strike they risk the possibility of losing their job. And I predict that some workers might be fired, that is all I was saying, No need to rant about how trickle down economics doesn’t work.

God Bless

 

[Dawnia]

You are right about the US economy, it is heading downhill very fast, Ive looked at some figures and it is absolutely terrifying to think what is coming to the US, a nation can only go for so long doing the same thing, trying to print their way out of trouble, this will only lead to much worse problems.

I think the prices and pay rates in Australia are a good example, if they can pay employees that much and prices remain about the same, then something is wrong in the US model of these same exact companies…Id bet it has something to do with companies in the US are NEVER happy with ANY profits, it always has to be more and more.

Geez, these low level employees are what brings in those huge profits, McDonalds and other companies like it need to remember that. It is sad IMO it takes a literal act of congress to force companies to pay employees a certain amount, there was once a time when an employee could go to their boss if they were having financial problems, or needed to make more money and ask for a raise, and their bosses would usually give them one, Ive heard about this from many older people, BOY, how that has changed!! Now, it does not matter who you are, at some of these companies you are just a body and every single person hired is given the EXACT same amount…Id love to know, how, out of 1000s of employees, they can basically say they are ALL worth the same exact amount per hour LOL This used to be based on a persons skills, their work ethic, and other personal factors.

Maybe these large companies need to look to the past in how they deal with employees?

I will be honest, when I learned about how much Australia employees are paid by the same companies that operate in the US, I was amazed and made me somewhat less patriotic, in the US, it is clear to me, its all about GREED.

In Australia, minimum wage for 16-year-old workers is only $8, which gives McDonald’s incentive to higher younger workers. It also squeezes more productivity out of workers and does away with little redundancies like cashiers, who are replaced in certain instances by touchscreens.

They pay a few workers that wage (likely managers & maybe some staff), hire young workers and reduce the number of jobs available. That doesn’t seem like a very smart move considering how hard it is to find a job as it is.

Well, you can thank the government for businesses treating everyone exactly the same, because there are now laws in place that require them to. Two workers that do the same job are expected to receive the same or similar pay. They can earn raises, but unless you are willing to take a better position, you are just a number like everyone else.

 

[Rence]

Thats not necessarily true, what about when CEOs and other high level employees get HUGE raises, prices do not go up as a result of that…what difference would this be?

Even if prices did go up, I would not mind and would be willing to pay more for a happy meal, if I knew it meant the workers were getting paid a wage they could live on.

I doubt they will get $15. though, I tend to think it will more likely be around $12. per hour. which would be about an additional $142. each week for an employee averaging 30 hours a week, so that is not that much money, when compared to the profits some of these companies rake in.

The skilled nursing assistants at the hospital don’t even make $12/hour

If the nonskilled laborer succeed in getting their $12/hour, not only will the dollar menu no longer be a dollar menu, but the skilled laborers will get an increase in pay as well, which will increase the cost to consumers for their services. The only thing all this will accomplish is that everyone will get a bit more pay in pay tiers in proportion, prices of goods and services will increase by the same proportion, and the unskilled laborers will still be on the bottom of the pay totem pole - in proportion to the basic level of labor they provide.

 

[Cricket2]

So the federal government sets a minimum wage then proceeds to say that people making the minimum wage don’t make enough are eligible for various welfare benefits. Please tell me where McDonalds or any other business factors into this.

It’s mind-blowing that a company can compensate an employee in full compliance with federal law and still somehow be labelled “the ultimate welfare queen”.

Minimum wage is not a living wage. It is absolute poverty.

 

[Cricket2]

Cricket, nobody here is calling anybody an “idiot” or treating them that way. What we are saying is that the mind set of those who think minimum wage should be $15.00 is incorrect.

I happen to have a degree in accounting. Actually, I worked in the daytime and went to school at night to get my degree. I currently work for a small family owned business by CHOICE, and thereby earn far less in wages and benefits than I would if I worked in the corporate world.

My company cleans office buildings. We hire people that often are unemployable: no HS diplomas, unmotivated, no skills. We treat our people with respect. There are many here who started at minimum wage and are now building supervisors. That makes me sooo happy.

I think a lot of people are calling them idiots when they keep bringing up the “unskilled” or “untrained” aspect of these jobs and seem to imply that they deserve no more. Not saying everyone has this tone, but enough do. None of us should accept the idea that people are working 8 hour days or more and remain at poverty in this nation. It is obscene.

 

[freeRadical]

Minimum wage is not a living wage. It is absolute poverty.

People in this country don’t know what absolute poverty is.

 

[HappyCatholic01]

well boo-hoo…some of you need to get out your bible and read Matthew 20: 1-16…the parable of the vineyard workers…it boils down to…what someone else earns is none of your (or mine) business…if some sanitary worker…who didn’t get past 7th grade and earns $20 per hour…what has that to do with you or me…if you have a college degree and aren’t getting that much…well tough luck…find a job that pays more and stop complaining about what others earn…or become a sanitary worker yourself…there is nothing wrong with having a degree…in fact it is commendable for anyone to achieve…but if you think you deserve more than someones else…well…read the last verse…so the last will be first and the first will be last

1. The workers made it everyone’s business when they publicly demanded a 100% raise, went on protest, in many cases funded and promoted by union organizers. They are the ones who insisted it be everyone’s business.
2. You may in fact be correct, but we hear no end of people voicing opinions about CEO salaries and who they believe makes too much money. I assume you’d agree that too is no one else’s business?

 

[Dawnia]

Minimum wage is not a living wage. It is absolute poverty.

You use that word as if you know what it means. Minimum wage is not absolute poverty.

 

[Mickey_Finn]

People in this country don’t know what absolute poverty is.

Well it’s relative isn’t it. I guess the question would be are you trying to bring American workers down to third world standards? That would mean that we’ve worked for over 200 years for nothing. Or perhaps your point is that they should be grateful for what they are getting. Let me tell you if they are then they are lost.

ATB

 

[Mickey_Finn]

You use that word as if you know what it means. Minimum wage is not absolute poverty.

No actually it is. You could research this yourself.

ATB

 

[Peebo]

1. The workers made it everyone’s business when they publicly demanded a 100% raise, went on protest, in many cases funded and promoted by union organizers. They are the ones who insisted it be everyone’s business.
2. You may in fact be correct, but we hear no end of people voicing opinions about CEO salaries and who they believe makes too much money. I assume you’d agree that too is no one else’s business?

Definitely agree with your second point…if companies/shareholders want to pay top dollar to their CEO…that’s their business…no problem with that…the first point is not so clear cut…I would assume that those in low paid jobs have no real say in what they are offered…someone in a professional career has their skills…their field of expertise to negotiate for more money…they also have a much greater opportunity to use their expertise to seek higher paying jobs if they choose to…and they have every right to do that…low paid unskilled workers on the other hand have nothing but their collective bargaining to negotiate for more pay…and that usually involves being organized into unions…this country has a bad record of violence towards unskilled workers who want to improve their lives in the only way they can by organizing themselves into unions…slave labor still goes on in this country by greedy employers using undocumented workers because they know they are to scared to say or do anything…and if tens of millions unskilled workers did get a decent wage wouldn’t they spend more money…good for the economy…wouldn’t that in fact create more jobs…less unemployment…less welfare checks…they wouldn’t need Medicaid…maybe save the government billions…the bottom line is I don’t begrudge the unskilled for wanting to improve their lot…nor do I begrudge those who have professional careers from doing the same

 

[stinkcat_14]

1. You may in fact be correct, but we hear no end of people voicing opinions about CEO salaries and who they believe makes too much money. I assume you’d agree that too is no one else’s business?

Actually, in many cases, CEO salaries are my business. After all, I own parts of many different companies, and so those CEOs are working for me (and the other shareholders). So nobody can tell me that what someone who works for me makes is none of my business. It very much is my business.

 

[JimG]

You are right about the US economy, it is heading downhill very fast, Ive looked at some figures and it is absolutely terrifying to think what is coming to the US, a nation can only go for so long doing the same thing, trying to print their way out of trouble, this will only lead to much worse problems.

I think the prices and pay rates in Australia are a good example, if they can pay employees that much and prices remain about the same, then something is wrong in the US model of these same exact companies…Id bet it has something to do with companies in the US are NEVER happy with ANY profits, it always has to be more and more.

Geez, these low level employees are what brings in those huge profits, McDonalds and other companies like it need to remember that. It is sad IMO it takes a literal act of congress to force companies to pay employees a certain amount, there was once a time when an employee could go to their boss if they were having financial problems, or needed to make more money and ask for a raise, and their bosses would usually give them one, Ive heard about this from many older people, BOY, how that has changed!! Now, it does not matter who you are, at some of these companies you are just a body and every single person hired is given the EXACT same amount…Id love to know, how, out of 1000s of employees, they can basically say they are ALL worth the same exact amount per hour LOL This used to be based on a persons skills, their work ethic, and other personal factors.
Maybe these large companies need to look to the past in how they deal with employees?

I will be honest, when I learned about how much Australia employees are paid by the same companies that operate in the US, I was amazed and made me somewhat less patriotic, in the US, it is clear to me, its all about GREED.

At one of my first jobs, married men were paid more than single men for the same job–essentially a training position–because the married men had a family to support.

Because of numerous labor laws and regs, that would now be illegal. Equal pay for equal work is the law, and if an employer tries to discriminate among employees doing the same job based on personal factors and work ethic, they will be sued, and the unions will back up the lawsuit. So if you’ve got a standout employee, you’ve got to pay him the same as the worst employee, or else give them both raises.

 

[HappyCatholic01]

Actually, in many cases, CEO salaries are my business. After all, I own parts of many different companies, and so those CEOs are working for me (and the other shareholders). So nobody can tell me that what someone who works for me makes is none of my business. It very much is my business.

If you own a piece of the company of course it is. If you don’t, it is debatable. The point was being made generally, as most people who comment are not active as stock holders.

Of course one could argue the salaries of any employee are your business if you own a piece of a company.

As a small business owner, I obviously know everyone’s salary.

But that flies in the face of the point PEEBO was making.

 

[freeRadical]

Well it’s relative isn’t it. I guess the question would be are you trying to bring American workers down to third world standards? That would mean that we’ve worked for over 200 years for nothing. Or perhaps your point is that they should be grateful for what they are getting. Let me tell you if they are then they are lost.

ATB

I’m just saying that people who say the poor in this country are in absolute poverty need a reality check.