Raise the Minimum Wage in the USA?

[Rox_My_Sox1]

So, what is everyone's opinions on this subject? Personally I'm all for $10.10 an hour for everyone but I feel if they want to raise it as high as $16.00 (or even $20.00) that they'll have to do it slowly in increments for the markets to be able to adjust. Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[TicklishBlackGuy]

personally, i think they need to do something with minimum wage for the middle class. We do more work then we get paid for, we also have the lowest minimum wage out of anyone. We need to do something to get the middle class back on its feet and not struggling so much. Yes i think we should raise it, how much and all that I have no idea, but it needs to be raised

 

[chicag0]

I'm not positive that all states could handle such a spike in minimum wage, but what they need to do (and think they already have, just going to take time to take effect) is address wage theft. Scheduling over 40 hours within one week, but timing it so that it's split between pay periods in order to avoid paying overtime. Folks on salary making anything more than 24,000 a year not having to be paid overtime. This is especially true for low income jobs, like food service for instance.

 

[Oblivion]

No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level --I mean the wages of decent living.

I'm all for it but I'm sure if the bottom line is threatened, Corporations and business will cut elsewhere. And it won't be into their own top members salaries.

I'm not positive that all states could handle such a spike in minimum wage, but what they need to do (and think they already have, just going to take time to take effect) is address wage theft. Scheduling over 40 hours within one week, but timing it so that it's split between pay periods in order to avoid paying overtime. Folks on salary making anything more than 24,000 a year not having to be paid overtime. This is especially true for low income jobs, like food service for instance.

I'd love, love, love for wage theft to be obliterated but I don't think it ever will be. Even if they removed sketchy book keeping like that, they'll always get free labor out of their workers by forcing them to go above and beyond their shift to complete their 'job.'

Food industry example, you're working a 2 pm too 10:30 pm. Close up shop at 9:30, but cleaning up for the day and prepping the next days food will take another 2 hours. You stay until 11:30 and that extra hour might not get reported.

Don't want too? Might get fired, because there is someone who wants your job.

 

[TicklishBlackGuy]

you guys think its just the food industry? what bout retail as well? We do alot of things in retail and don't get paid for the amount of work we do, or u end up being promised benefits, can't get overtime, can't get full time, just work and make hardly shit.

 

[Oblivion]

you guys think its just the food industry? what bout retail as well? We do alot of things in retail and don't get paid for the amount of work we do, or u end up being promised benefits, can't get overtime, can't get full time, just work and make hardly shit.

I used the food industry as an example because it was already mentioned. It happens in every industry.

A retail manager, who I still count as a friend (at his BBQ the other day!) gave me an important statement after working there for a year.

If you're a good worker, I'm going to punish you with more work, because I trust you more than the other shit heads here.

 

[TicklishBlackGuy]

not all retail places are like that, most ones punish the ones who work there the longest with less work and give the new and idiot people work or more hours. We need stable economy but minimum wage does need to go up, nothing is balance with the way prices go up and u can't even afford to feed yourself for a few days.

 

[chicag0]

I dont think anyone said "just" the food industry. I might be missing something but I can't see where that was even implied. I was just speaking from my own experience as ive mainly been in food. I hope this isn't becoming a competition over who has it "worse". I certainly wasn't trying to start anything like that.

Back to the main topic, though. If minimum wage is raised will it not just cause cost of living to go up and prices to inflate? Won't it then just end up the same situation? That's an argument ive heard and im no economist so im curious how much water that theory holds.

 

[sadi]

The 'catch-22' of raising minimum wage is that, the supervisors and others who are 'making' more than minimum wage won't have their wages increased incrementally as well, either, so, to use... McDonald's as an example: Joe Blow who's in highschool might be making 10.10$ or whatever the increased minimum wage is, but the supervisor who's responsible for tallying: the wages; income; storage; and a bunch of other things, is only making 10.20$, or even whatever the increased minimum wage is, but with all these additional responsibilities and demands laid upon them. Think it might negatively affect morale, but... inflation will likely make it 'nill, anyway.

Now, with the minimum wage being increased, will the standards remain so 'low'? Or, with industries having to dish out such high wages, will they require employees to have a higher education to warrant such an increase in fares? I just don't think it's reasonable to have to have a BA to work at McDonald's, which the case might become.

More money outright is great, but does it 'really' end up being great, when you see everything else that has to increase as a result, in this domino effect of raising the 'minimum' wage? *shrugs* I don't know, just... the possible negative effects of paying more money.

 

[TicklishBlackGuy]

But you u truely look at things, there has to be a balance, people can't work jobs such as fast food and retail and expect to keep up with rising cost of everything. Every other country has a balance in some sort of way that balances cost of living with how much u are going ot work and u get paid. We once had that, now its gone because everything goes up. Should people still work these jobs, barely making anything? or should they make at least enough to be able to provide? I'm not saying make miminum wage a huge increase, but the balance of that with the cost of everything else has to have some sort of balance so people of middle class are not struggling so much to get by. I mean its our tax dollars they use for everything, and we barely get half of that back? something's gotta give for us who word dem smaller jobs to try and make mens meat and put clothes on our backs, roof over our head, meat on the table, etc.

 

[MistressValerie1]

Back to the main topic, though. If minimum wage is raised will it not just cause cost of living to go up and prices to inflate? Won't it then just end up the same situation? That's an argument ive heard and im no economist so im curious how much water that theory holds.

That's what I understand as well. Raising the minimum wage causes prices to rise, leaving wage workers no better off, but leaving people who live on a fixed income (such as pensioners) worse off because of higher inflation without an increase in income.

 

[chicag0]

But you u truely look at things, there has to be a balance, people can't work jobs such as fast food and retail and expect to keep up with rising cost of everything. Every other country has a balance in some sort of way that balances cost of living with how much u are going ot work and u get paid. We once had that, now its gone because everything goes up. Should people still work these jobs, barely making anything? or should they make at least enough to be able to provide? I'm not saying make miminum wage a huge increase, but the balance of that with the cost of everything else has to have some sort of balance so people of middle class are not struggling so much to get by. I mean its our tax dollars they use for everything, and we barely get half of that back? something's gotta give for us who word dem smaller jobs to try and make mens meat and put clothes on our backs, roof over our head, meat on the table, etc.

As much as this is a problem here, I feel like many other countries are much worse than ours so I dont know where you are getting your info. Also many people get no tax money back or have to pay in. Im just confused what your statements are based on aside from personal experience perhaps.

 

[GoodFella]

But you u truely look at things, there has to be a balance, people can't work jobs such as fast food and retail and expect to keep up with rising cost of everything. Every other country has a balance in some sort of way that balances cost of living with how much u are going ot work and u get paid. We once had that, now its gone because everything goes up. Should people still work these jobs, barely making anything? or should they make at least enough to be able to provide? I'm not saying make miminum wage a huge increase, but the balance of that with the cost of everything else has to have some sort of balance so people of middle class are not struggling so much to get by. I mean its our tax dollars they use for everything, and we barely get half of that back? something's gotta give for us who word dem smaller jobs to try and make mens meat and put clothes on our backs, roof over our head, meat on the table, etc.

This will sound callous, but fast food and retail jobs weren't meant to be able to supply you with a living wage. It's the kind of job you get as a teenager that lets you get some work experience under your belt, and a little bit of money while you're still being supported by parents.

Raising the minimum wage would hurt more than help. If you make the cost of labor more expensive, less of it will be purchased. The cost of everything else goes up, and less people are employed.

 

[TicklishBlackGuy]

i don't think it would hurt at all honestly, they still have houses and stuff, and some people just can't get the jobs they want because of the way the economy is so they work these jobs just ot keep roofs over there head. there's nothing wrong with raising it i believe. i mean even college students should be able to afford this easier like books and stuff. I mean even for students these jobs should be helpful for use who need books and stuff and we can barely make enough for those too because not eveyone gets grants and scholorships etc.

 

[GoodFella]

I get that you don't think it would harm anybody, but you haven't stated why. I make the case that job providers would hire less people if the cost of labor goes up. What makes you think it would go in a different direction?

 

[chicag0]

I read somewhere that decades ago (honestly it could have been 1950), a person making minimum wage could make ends meet, but that the wage was not increased at a rate that would match living expenses over time. I see the problems with raising minimum wage to 10 or even 15 an hour, but the problems with not raising it somewhat over time, seem to be just as bad if the middle class gets smaller and smaller and the gap between the poor and rich gets wider and wider. I'm definitely no expert, I've only heard and read bits and pieces on the whole issue, but (aside from raising it to 10+/hour) are there any other potential "resolutions" being considered?

 

[Oblivion]

Communism, comrades. Embrace it! 😛

The main problem is that its a Capitalist system and the system is working as intended. I'd say more big brother oversight is needed, but I don't think the problem is just going to be solved with more guidance.

The most experienced and well deserving people (Not really, its all about who you know) are getting the in demand jobs (Retail and Fast Food probably shouldn't be in demand jobs). The system then pays as little as they can to the qualified people doing their job, so they can sell their good for the highest price.

That's fine! That's a wealth generator and it usually creates innovation, healthy competition and a slew of other benefits. I probably wouldn't have this nice computer I'm using in a non-Capitalist based country/world, let alone an iPod that I hold so dear. I love my music.

So maybe the system works, but its a population issue? People are living longer (even if some countries are taking a step back in this, like America). There are more people going onto Social Security that the newer generations have to support.

So maybe this is a huge, complex issue that deals with Government systems, life expectancy, population control, retirement, worker rights and Corporate greed.

I think we should start off by looking at CEO's and other Corporate people who gave themselves nice bonus' during a hard economic time, while at the same time firing staff and cutting their benefits.

 

[MistressValerie1]

If the minimum wage had been indexed to consumer price inflation from the beginning (that is, with a cost-of-living adjustment similar to pensions and Social Security), a lot of the current problem would not exist. Waiting until minimum wage is outdated, then increasing it in large increments, creates price shocks for low-wage employers such as the food industry and results in cuts in jobs or work hours, or increases in prices charged. I believe that any increases in the minimum wage should be gradual to minimize inflationary shocks.

 

[general zod1]

Hanged if you raise it. Hanged if you don't. Raising it will hurt small business. Some of those are barely making it anymore. If they have to raise the wages,then they may have to lay off workers. If they don't lay off workers,then they have to raise prices on whatever they sell,just so the can pay the bills,pay the employees,and pay their taxes.

Over the years as a truck driver,I have watched food portions shrink a little in the truck stops,while the prices for the meals go up.