Minimum Wage Strike

[red5]

Here's a thought. How about instead of working hard to protest and DEMAND a better wage for cooking fries, stuffing tacos, etc. you put that effort toward working hard, gaining experience, and EARNING a better wage.

[LittleRedNinjette]

That would require common sense. This world is lacking lately.

[Ytse Frobozz]

So, unless you're organizing the strike, participating in a strike is pretty easy. You show up with a sign and stand around not doing anything. For some people, this is the only thing they're really good at.

On the other hand, if I have a minimum wage job, I'm only losing $8 an hour by being on strike!

[CynicalC]

You're only worth what someone is willing to pay you, period. Your value is determined by the market, not how much you spent on "training" or how much debt you have or how much you like to think you're worth. Also, the fact that you chose the word "trained" over "skilled" or "experienced" leaves no question in my mind what you're truly worth. So... Speaking of high horses...

[Bigballsofpaint]

So your a trained mechanic that makes 7.25 an hour? And you picked a field thats hard finding a decent job in?

[rasta]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

Actually $7.25 but who is really counting, which is not a live able wage, so the government makes up the difference with food stamps and housing, while corporations put millions and billions into the hands of a few. The fact that folks wanna pay college grads and skilled workers less than $10 an hour is ridiculous... I'm a trained mechanic and finding a decent job is tough out here, folks don't wanna pay what I'm worth which makes me wonder how will I ever pay off my college debts... Yea all that schooling was really worth it when the bills like up and no one is their to pay them... Get off your high horse man

It's a shame man, and it's no wonder our student loan debt is nearly $1 trillion. Too many students taking out loans that they can't pay back. It just digs a deeper and deeper hole.

But I don't think the OP was referring to people like you. He was referring to fast food workers, who might not be as educated or skilled. I'm torn on this debate though. While fast food work doesn't require skill or education, workers DO work hard for next to nothing. Regardless of the industry, if you're a hard worker, you deserve to have liveable wage.

[Jiggles]

$15 an hour for a fast food job. What a joke.

San jose had its minimum wage raised to $10/hr, thats as high as it should go. If you don't like the wage, don't work there. I've never had a problem finding a job that paid more than minimum wage. I got off the minimum wage train with a job that didn't require a high school diploma and I never went back.

How many of these people striking are actively looking for a higher paying job that might require a bit more hard work or some personal responsibility and how many are hoping for the easy way out? How many of them actually have a resume? I'd be shocked if the number were over 10%

[MagicMike]

There is only so much money to go round. Wages increase, other jobs are lost.

Can't have wage increases effecting profit margins. That'll never fly!

[red5]

Originally Posted by rasta

But I don't think the OP was referring to people like you. He was referring to fast food workers, who might not be as educated or skilled. I'm torn on this debate though. While fast food work doesn't require skill or education, workers DO work hard for next to nothing. Regardless of the industry, if you're a hard worker, you deserve to have liveable wage.

Acually, I'm referring to anyone doing anything. As cynical said, you are paid exactly what the market will bear.

[chef]

If the salary increases almost 50% ($7.25 to $15) logical that that has to be passed on...will there be another protest when a whopper or big mac costs $15

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by chef

If the salary increases almost 50% ($7.25 to $15) logical that that has to be passed on...will there be another protest when a whopper or big mac costs $15

That'd be an increase of 100%

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

You're only worth what someone is willing to pay you, period. Your value is determined by the market, not how much you spent on "training" or how much debt you have or how much you like to think you're worth. Also, the fact that you chose the word "trained" over "skilled" or "experienced" leaves no question in my mind what you're truly worth. So... Speaking of high horses...

I must agree with this but with one fix.

[fixed]
You're only worth what your willing to work for, period.
[/fixed]

Don't like the market... get out. Due to outsourcing and other market factors, my salary has decreased by 20k per year. And yea.... I am thinking of my exit strategy BEFORE it becomes a real problem.

[massacremasses]

word.

I make less than 15$ and im a "skilled" position.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Its funny how defensive you're getting over there. I see no one making fun of your english or the way you type. Your statement of when one wage increase most all follow is invalid. I have NEVER gotten a wage increase when minimum wage went up, unless i was making minimum wage or less than the new minimum wage was set at. Its hard to remember though since I haven't made minimum wage since i was 18.

Why not bitch that my raise, if i even get one yearly, typically does not even cover inflation? When gas prices go up my wage doesn't increase. Maybe people need to start living within their means instead of racking up debt and then blaming "the man"

[red5]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

I dunno how fools think folks making and spending more money is a bad thing.

Who said that??

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by chef

If the salary increases almost 50% ($7.25 to $15) logical that that has to be passed on...will there be another protest when a whopper or big mac costs $15

Ding ding ding.

If you raise the minimum wage and people magically have more money in their pockets, it reduces the value of those dollars, which will drive up costs. You don't need to be an econ major to figure this **** out.

Also, the REAL joke of this is that the modern fast food kitchen is like 90% automated. And they are building them now with the intent that literally ANYONE can operate any of the equipment in the kitchen without ever having seen it before and with the least amount of training possible. To say that today's fast food workers are unskilled is the understatement of the century. They're almost a formality at this point and can be replaced by a machine tomorrow if needed.

By the way, EVERYONE should read this book.

[ichibunkid.206]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

To say that today's fast food workers are unskilled is the understatement of the century.

A sad but true statement.... And what's really sad is I bet less then 50% of fast food workers can't count out the correct change without the help of the fancy cash terminals, and sadder yet I've run into a few who still couldn't count out the correct change even with the cash terminals displaying what they should be giving me back

[Alex]

[ichibunkid.206]

Originally Posted by Alex

Oooooo Connie Britton... she kinda hot

[Ytse Frobozz]

When I look at that book cover all I can think about is how much I love eating french fries.

[Insan3guy]

Well, I'm glad to know that there will be jobs opening up soon.

[MagicMike]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

Why not bitch that my raise, if i even get one yearly, typically does not even cover inflation? When gas prices go up my wage doesn't increase. Maybe people need to start living within their means instead of racking up debt and then blaming "the man"

This 100%

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

I've seen you on Fox News... Y'all folks would be funnier if ya didn't pretend to be doing news

I can guarantee @CynicalC doesnt watch Fox News...


You know what inflation is right?

The basic laws of supply and demand apply for labor. Jobs with less skill are in "less demand" and the wages they earn reflect that.

[Alchemist]

Originally Posted by Insan3guy

Well, I'm glad to know that there will be jobs opening up soon.

No kidding... striking when you can be easily replaced is an interesting tactic.

[Joshorilla]

Hmmm.

I assume they have a right to strike and not have it affect their jobs? Mostly employers and unions strike a deal for these sorts of things.

Strikes generally don't work, just look at the coal mine strikes that thatcher had to deal with, the coal miners killed the british coal industry.

But American wages have always baffled me.

Why do you tip somebody in a Denny's but not in a McDonnalds? I get tipping in the sense of paying above the price to reward good service, but when it come to tipping above five or ten percent "a good and a very good tip here" you're paying that persons wage, shouldn't the employer be doing that? Do what the rest of the world does, charge people enough for the food to cover all your costs including staff wages.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Hmmm.

I assume they have a right to strike and not have it affect their jobs? Mostly employers and unions strike a deal for these sorts of things.

Strikes generally don't work, just look at the coal mine strikes that thatcher had to deal with, the coal miners killed the british coal industry.

But American wages have always baffled me.

Why do you tip somebody in a Denny's but not in a McDonnalds? I get tipping in the sense of paying above the price to reward good service, but when it come to tipping above five or ten percent "a good and a very good tip here" you're paying that persons wage, shouldn't the employer be doing that? Do what the rest of the world does, charge people enough for the food to cover all your costs including staff wages.

waiters and waitresses live off tips for the most part. Fast Food is a lot different.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Why do you tip somebody in a Denny's but not in a McDonnalds?

When I go into Denny's and sit down - I expect someone to serve me = Tip
When I go into McDonnalds - I am expected to serve myself = No tip

It's really that simple in KY.

[Joshorilla]

Originally Posted by csmith12

When I go into Denny's and sit down - I expect someone to serve me = Tip
When I go into McDonnalds - I am expected to serve myself = No tip

It's really that simple in KY.

Last time I went to a Denny's I asked for grits and I was told "No son, you english folks don't like grits" I almost said something racist to combat her zenophobia, but I didn't think that would wash, so I went to a Golden Corral and gorged on about four different types of grits, I don't like grits, but that's besides the point.

I havn't had good service in Denny's lol, Waffle House on the other hand!

[csmith12]

Quality of service is ALWAYS a factor in my tip amount. And I somewhat hate that many businesses pool the tips and split them among everyone. An "individual's" quality, hard work should be rewarded more than someone who performs below average.

[Alex]

It's not a quick read, but it's a fantastic short series about why tips are a completely silly (and ineffective) way to compensate servers.

Observations From A Tipless Restaurant

[Panda]

I was with the guy before he went off on his sexism rant. Some of the best tippers I know are female and as an ex-waiter/bartender I always knew who left me good tips.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

waiters and waitresses live off tips for the most part.

To clarify, all workers in the state of California make at least state minimum wage of $8 / hr. This does include restaurant workers, who collect tips on top of their wages.

This is not to say that the majority of their income doesn't come from tips. But it's not like in other states where they make less.

[MagicMike]

Coming from a country that does not have to tip, and travelling to the US, the 2 most annoying things about the US are:

Having to tip even for **** service (I actually refused to tip for bad service on one occasion and man did they get cranky)

And the stupid tax. Find an item that says $10. Take item to register and bam, that'll be $11 or whatever it is.

JUST PUT THE REAL SELL PRICE ON ****!

[ninja250r81]

you sure its only 2

[MagicMike]

Originally Posted by ninja250r81

you sure its only 2

Yep the rest was awesome

[JonR]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

Actually $7.25 but who is really counting, which is not a live able wage

I keep hearing how this isn't a livable wage yet I have yet to hear of anyone dying because they don't make enough money...