• US Fast-Food Workers Unite In Protest
    249 replies, posted
[QUOTE=Fourm Shark;43087152]I have no problems with minimum wage being raised. If it doesn't inflation will make working minimum wage jobs a waste of time.[/QUOTE] over the last couple few decades the price of like, everything has gone up, but minimum wage has stayed pathetically low. the concept behind minimum wage is hilarious too. "this is the least i can pay you without being thrown in jail. thanks for working for me."
[QUOTE=milkandcooki;43086976]*Streamers and confetti fall from the sky* Congratulations! *The crowd beings applauding, a standing ovation so impressive that the heavens themselves shake* You have solved the issue of poverty! You've freed all minimum wage workers! Who would have thought that the solution would be as simple as "just getting a new job??"!!!! I'm glad that white guys living in the US that were born into the middle class like you are so great at stickin' it to the rest of us![/QUOTE] oh my god the irony.
[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;43086978]I think victim is the wrong word here - you have [I]some[/I] control over your life, and there's people with much shittier lives. But that's besides the point; even if some people fail to overcome obstacles, they shouldn't have to live like shit in a developed part of the world. When I see some of the hoods in the US, I'm taken aback, because literally nothing looks like that here in Denmark, and how some would say that people can deserve living there, whether it's their own fault or not, honestly makes me a bit disgusted.[/QUOTE] I honestly agree really. Being looked down upon, working a stressful job for shit wages, isn't exactly the most motivating thing to do. I can see why quite a lot of young men turn to gangs and organized crime in the poorer parts of the US. It's more exciting, gets more "respect" and power, and earns you a lot more money. Here in Denmark, the minimum wage (depending on your union) is ~19 USD. Sure, you pay quite a bit of it back in taxes, but in return, you get free school, high scool/college, and university. You also get free healthcare, libraries, and paid support if you are studying full time. This means that a lot of people have an easier time achieving what they want and reaching higher levels of education, because they are not being held back by their heritage or social status as much. When regarding US, a lot of vocal people (for example in this thread) often give the impression that the poor are a lower class, that can be looked down upon by the rest of the society. In most of Scandinavia, we stopped doing this quite a few decades ago. It surprises me that some people believe that it's [I]always[/I] your own fault that you are poor, and not because you for example have been born into poverty, your parents are drug addicts, etc.
I was discussing this earlier with someone I know, and he brought up technological advancement and the problems it'll offer to those living off of minimum wage. If our technology keeps evolving, our computers keep getting more advanced, and our robots better and cheaper, then at one point a computer will be able to do the work of a McDonalds worker, but cheaper and more efficient than any of them. At that point the minimum wage will [I]have[/I] to be lowered, otherwise these people will get no wage at all. It's obviously just a possible outcome of the future, but what do you think?
[QUOTE=Bonde;43087665] It surprises me that some people believe that it's [I]always[/I] your own fault that you are poor, and not because you for example have been born into poverty, your parents are drug addicts, etc.[/QUOTE] A genuine problem with combating the extreme poverty in parts of the United States is that one of the two functional parties in the US holds the opinion that the invisible hand of the free market will solve everything and the only reason the poor exist is because they are too lazy and too stupid to pull themselves out of poverty, forgetting that some people didn't have the good luck to brought up with as much privilege as they were. This won't stop said politicians from trying to kick the ladder out from under anyone trying to climb out of inner city ghettoes or rural trailer parks.
...and then they all get replaced.
[QUOTE=Van-man;43086496]Pay the CEO's less. That third Yacht and second private jet isn't crucial to living.[/QUOTE] Welcome to US business. You're in it for the profit margins, not for the employees.
Whoops, damn you Samsung galaxy, didn't mean to rate disagree.
[QUOTE=Fhux;43087822]I was discussing this earlier with someone I know, and he brought up technological advancement and the problems it'll offer to those living off of minimum wage. If our technology keeps evolving, our computers keep getting more advanced, and our robots better and cheaper, then at one point a computer will be able to do the work of a McDonalds worker, but cheaper and more efficient than any of them. At that point the minimum wage will [I]have[/I] to be lowered, otherwise these people will get no wage at all. It's obviously just a possible outcome of the future, but what do you think?[/QUOTE] Not really. Wages increase despite increasing automation. That's the trend for the past two centuries. The only real reason wages are so low now is because a lot of people in industrializing countries are accepting jobs for lower wages. Of course, once industrialization finishes, it's going to be a different story.
[QUOTE=UziXxX;43088544]Whoops, damn you Samsung galaxy, didn't mean to rate disagree.[/QUOTE] Reload page and re-rate. Been there MANY times with my phone.
[QUOTE=Fhux;43087822]I was discussing this earlier with someone I know, and he brought up technological advancement and the problems it'll offer to those living off of minimum wage. If our technology keeps evolving, our computers keep getting more advanced, and our robots better and cheaper, then at one point a computer will be able to do the work of a McDonalds worker, but cheaper and more efficient than any of them. At that point the minimum wage will [I]have[/I] to be lowered, otherwise these people will get no wage at all. It's obviously just a possible outcome of the future, but what do you think?[/QUOTE] The same thing happened with the auto industry, but the employment shifted to different industries. You are right in saying that with the advance of technology, certain jobs become obsolete, but at the same time, new jobs become created, both high- and low-skilled.
All wages aside, I feel like society as a whole is lacking enthusiasm and motivation to pursue professional careers. So many people just sit and work at Arby's or some shit and be like "well it pays the bills" as they live in a total shit hole and live off food stamps.. never aspiring to move up. I wish there was some way of getting people excited to do something with their lives. If you want SO badly to get paid more at McDonalds, maybe you should want instead to find a better job. Life isn't just going to get handed to you in a 12 Piece nugget box.
[QUOTE=Glitchman;43088680]All wages aside, I feel like society as a whole is lacking enthusiasm and motivation to pursue professional careers. So many people just sit and work at Arby's or some shit and be like "well it pays the bills" as they live in a total shit hole and live off food stamps.. never aspiring to move up. I wish there was some way of getting people excited to do something with their lives. If you want SO badly to get paid more at McDonalds, maybe you should want instead to find a better job. Life isn't just going to get handed to you in a 12 Piece nugget box.[/QUOTE] Have you thought that some people enjoy food service? I know of several people who stick with their jobs in fast food because they enjoy the industry, or their jobs in general. One wants to move up into a management position but staying with the company. Not everybody wants to work a desk job.
Here's what I say, you work at a f**king McDonalds. If you want a better pay, get an education and get a job that actually deserves the pay that it gets.
[QUOTE=supernoob96;43090033]Here's what I say, you work at a f**king McDonalds. If you want a better pay, get an education and get a job that actually deserves the pay that it gets.[/QUOTE] May I assume that the 96 in your username is your year of birth? Whether it is or not, it's just downright retarded to assume everyone has equal opportunity for education - [I]especially[/I] in America. Here in Denmark, everyone has the opportunity to go to University for free, and you actually get paid for it (depending on who you are, but the standard dude will get about ~$1000), but that [I]still[/I] doesn't mean you can expect everyone to go down that route. Maybe your family had a lot of trouble when you were young and you didn't spend that much time in school or whatever. Point is, you shouldn't punish someone for being born into an economically or otherwise weak family, and they should have a decent living, whether they got a good job or not. Now this is Denmark, where basically no one is actually "poor" (there's of course families that are much less well off, but we don't have people starving or the like), so you can see why this should apply even more so over there.
I think the bottom line is: If someone is working full time, they should be able to live humanely on those wages, no matter the job. Even if someone elects to be a manual street sweeper, he should be able to buy bread and have a roof over his head, even if it isn't a fancy one. There is a difference between earning luxury and earning a living. Get your heads out of your asses, because as is been said before sometimes moving up just isn't an option, and so because of that people should be able to [B]live[/B] on their hard work regardless.
[QUOTE=milkandcooki;43087002]because we as human beings have these things called "humility" and "empathy." i really don't know how these big wig money-guy people sleep at night knowing they could [I]literally[/I] save peoples' lives by giving away less than like, a single percent of their salary.[/QUOTE] Really? So how many of his employee's lives can the CEO of McDonalds save with the $135,000 (1% of his salary)? I think he's going to need a bigger salary if that's the case.... But I do see your point. People who start businesses should take a decent, but not to high wage, and give everything else to their employees. If there is profit, split it between the employees. I mean it's not like businesses use that money to open new locations (providing more jobs), improve their services, or even put on programs to help their employees or the community. Nope, they just hoard those profits, so they should distribute them. I mean it's not like businesses have goals or unexpected costs. They just make and keep money for the sake of it...
I can barely understand how they even survive off of minimum wage. I get paid just lightly over minimum wage in my state ($8.00/hr), but I live with my family as a High School student, and only for a few static hours a week. I propose this; if you are under the age of 17/18, the minimum wage should stay around $8.00, but once you hit the ripe age of 18, minimum wage for those workers should be higher, like $11-$12. Sure, its not a lot, but it is probably enough for the average young adult to live off of. Way higher than $7.25/hr. At least, until they go through college and/or get promotions and move up for find better jobs. But a flat 10-15$ minimum wage is a bit high. Especially for jobs like mine, a teenager with a bit of special training who belays people up a rock climbing wall, which isn't difficult. But these adults working 40+ hours and need to feed their kids deserve better. Just my 2 cents.
[QUOTE=Silence I Kill You;43091617]Really? So how many of his employee's lives can the CEO of McDonalds save with the $135,000 (1% of his salary)? I think he's going to need a bigger salary if that's the case.... But I do see your point. People who start businesses should take a decent, but not to high wage, and give everything else to their employees. If there is profit, split it between the employees. I mean it's not like businesses use that money to open new locations (providing more jobs), improve their services, or even put on programs to help their employees or the community. Nope, they just hoard those profits, so they should distribute them. I mean it's not like businesses have goals or unexpected costs. They just make and keep money for the sake of it...[/QUOTE] I don't think you understand just how much fast food companies are profiting, and if you think even a sizeable part of that profit goes "to help employees or the community" instead of the owners pockets, you're living in some other world.
[QUOTE=Zenreon117;43091088]I think the bottom line is: If someone is working full time, they should be able to live humanely on those wages, no matter the job. Even if someone elects to be a manual street sweeper, he should be able to buy bread and have a roof over his head, even if it isn't a fancy one. There is a difference between earning luxury and earning a living. Get your heads out of your asses, because as is been said before sometimes moving up just isn't an option, and so because of that people should be able to [B]live[/B] on their hard work regardless.[/QUOTE] The problem is that most McDonald's workers are part-time. If you're working full-time I agree with you.
[QUOTE=SIRIUS;43091744]I don't think you understand just how much fast food companies are profiting, and if you think even a sizeable part of that profit goes "to help employees or the community" instead of the owners pockets, you're living in some other world.[/QUOTE] Yeah, im pretty sure the profit margins for McDonalds is something obscenely high like around 30 cents on the dollar. It weird seeing people defend corporations like in this thread.
[QUOTE=Fhux;43087822]I was discussing this earlier with someone I know, and he brought up technological advancement and the problems it'll offer to those living off of minimum wage. If our technology keeps evolving, our computers keep getting more advanced, and our robots better and cheaper, then at one point a computer will be able to do the work of a McDonalds worker, but cheaper and more efficient than any of them. At that point the minimum wage will [I]have[/I] to be lowered, otherwise these people will get no wage at all. It's obviously just a possible outcome of the future, but what do you think?[/QUOTE] couldn't agree more, tech is a competition to every industry and broadens the labor pool, therefore devaluating the labor. if you try to artificially raise the price of labor then you end up just seeing more people swapped out.
Pardon my lack of economics knowledge, but wouldn't raising it to a level like $15/hr (And yeah, I know it's that high because it's a negotiation tactic, but still, theoretically speaking here.) just cause inflation all over the place? Or am I misunderstanding/missing some crucial detail here?
[QUOTE=areolop;43084001]Hydraulic effect. If you change the wage to something of skilled labor, then the price of everything will also increase[/QUOTE] Flipping burgers isn't [B]skilled[/B] labour
I like how alot of people are victim blaming the people that are working minimum wage, when sometimes theres NO other job near them, or theres a job in another city over but it would cost too much in gas to even get there to get a profit from it. I'm sure the CEO's of multi billion dollar corporations can spare a few dollars for a few people slaving over a fucking stove and dealing with shitty customers that treat them like shit because they work there. And all of this is while getting underpaid from a shitty job while being treated like shit probably every day they're there.
[QUOTE=itzpanda;43094091]I like how alot of people are victim blaming the people that are working minimum wage, when sometimes theres NO other job near them, or theres a job in another city over but it would cost too much in gas to even get there to get a profit from it. I'm sure the CEO's of multi billion dollar corporations can spare a few dollars for a few people slaving over a fucking stove and dealing with shitty customers that treat them like shit because they work there. And all of this is while getting underpaid from a shitty job while being treated like shit probably every day they're there.[/QUOTE] Why is there this mindset that minimum wage workers are suddenly victims? As if they are the recipient of wrong doing. Calling them victims paints a picture that we're in some early 1900s sewing factory that has 20 hours shifts, where it's dark and people lose their limbs all for a $1 a week. It may come as a surprise to a few of you, but there are labor laws. The working conditions these people are in are sanitary and safe, or the place is shut down. The hours they work are ethical. Slaving over a hot stove? Are you serious? I used to work at Dairy queen, and putting patties on the grill, where they then cooked, all I had to do was make sure they were cooked properly. It literally took 0 skill. We had an infrared thermometer to make sure they were up to temperature. Hardly slave labor. Plus the place is air conditioned. Very few customers that I've seen or experienced are shitty. Yeah, you get difficult ones, but it's rare that someone puts you down because you're a fast food worker. Sure, sometimes your boss can be a dick, but "being treated like shit probably every day they're there"? Far from the truth in my experience, and my boss was a real asshole. But you still make friends with your co-workers and have fun at work. I had a blast working there. Bottom line, these people aren't vitcims. These jobs aren't even remotely close to slave labor.
[QUOTE=UziXxX;43094552]Why is there this mindset that minimum wage workers are suddenly victims? As if they are the recipient of wrong doing. Calling them victims paints a picture that we're in some early 1900s sewing factory that has 20 hours shifts, where it's dark and people lose their limbs all for a $1 a week. It may come as a surprise to a few of you, but there are labor laws. The working conditions these people are in are sanitary and safe, or the place is shut down. The hours they work are ethical. Slaving over a hot stove? Are you serious? I used to work at Dairy queen, and putting patties on the grill, where they then cooked, all I had to do was make sure they were cooked properly. It literally took 0 skill. We had an infrared thermometer to make sure they were up to temperature. Hardly slave labor. Plus the place is air conditioned. Very few customers that I've seen or experienced are shitty. Yeah, you get difficult ones, but it's rare that someone puts you down because you're a fast food worker. Sure, sometimes your boss can be a dick, but "being treated like shit probably every day they're there"? Far from the truth in my experience, and my boss was a real asshole. But you still make friends with your co-workers and have fun at work. I had a blast working there. Bottom line, these people aren't vitcims. These jobs aren't even remotely close to slave labor.[/QUOTE] Not every place has an AC, just because you had a blast working at a dairy queen doesnt mean its the same for every franchise or every store. They're also not always clean, sometimes the health inspectors refuse to shut it down, or tell them to fix the things but never come back to check if they did the things
[QUOTE=itzpanda;43094940]Not every place has an AC, just because you had a blast working at a dairy queen doesnt mean its the same for every franchise or every store. They're also not always clean, sometimes the health inspectors refuse to shut it down, or tell them to fix the things but never come back to check if they did the things[/QUOTE] While that is true, you can't write off every minimum wage worker as a victim who works in a filthy sweat box, where they are treated like trash.
At the same time you cant write off minimum wage workers as undeserving of a living wage because they hold an unskilled job.
[QUOTE=Lonestriper;43095232]At the same time you cant write off minimum wage workers as undeserving of a living wage because they hold an unskilled job.[/QUOTE] I agree 100%. 99% of the people in this thread, myself included, support a raising of the minimum wage.
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