Buffalo, New York
As part of the Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) Bus Tour, Starbucks workers and volunteers in Buffalo, New York, demonstrated the power of the Starbucks unionization campaign in the face of corporate resistance.
To bolster their efforts, dozens of Starbucks workers travel
Maybe. Im also for higher wages. But NOT when its forced or the wages dont reflect the skill level of the work. The idea is that you should improve your skill set so you’ll be more valuable to the job market. Continuing education, college, trade schools, whatever. Thats how we all did it. But, newer generations seem to think that Starbucks or McDonalds is supposed to provide enough income for a nice suburban house, Beemer, etc. Doesnt work that way. Those are temp jobs for teens and retirees.
I think you are certainly correct that people shouldn’t expect high paying jobs right out of the gate, but there has to be a better compromise. These people still sell up to 40 hours of their week. Wouldn’t it be more palatable if they could do a little better than barely scrape by?
What’s a little better though? They can improve their situation and then they’ll make more naturally. I’d rather see the solution come from that end. Why don’t high schools stop pushing overpriced college as the only valid option for students? Community college should be free for everyone. Let’s generate a more talented workforce. Maybe I’m too old but all of these burger joint and coffee shop jobs were never designed or intended to be one’s final career path.
We agree for the most part. Unfortunately though, community college isn’t free for everyone. The people in these jobs should be allowed the flexibility to increase their employability through post secondary training without having to pick which night of the week they will skip eating to make rent.
So unless someone has the free time and money/goes into debt for school, they shouldn’t be able to afford life working full time? This still allows more skilled workers to acquire higher wages and also decreases the number of individuals needing governmental monetary assistance. Minimum wage was intended too simply prevent starvation and provide bare subsistence. If minimum wage had kept up with inflation, it’d be around $23/hour. Bare subsistence isn’t a nice suburban house or a BMW whatsoever, its ensuring there’s a roof over there head, meals don’t have to be skipped and folks can afford to buy their meds when they’re prescribed. There seems to be a big disconnect between what workers are asking for and your interpenetration of it.
I won’t disagree with all of this. It just doesn’t seem fair to the guy or gal that truly earned their $23 an hour versus someone that just walks in the door and gets it. And, I can’t buy that people don’t have the time or money to better themselves. It’s a choice what you do with your time. Classes can be taken at night or part time. Trade schools and community colleges are NOT expensive and many trade schools are hurting for people and will train you for free, basically.
Yeah, my Beemer and big house was an exaggeration but the idea remains intact. Entry level, menial labor jobs were never designed to sustain families. They are first jobs that many of us had. The idea that they should overpay just doesn’t work for me.
Minimum wage was devised to ensure a full time worker, regardless of the specific gig, could sustain the basic necessities. The pricipals of capitalism highlight that the prior $23/hour employee will be able to get the same pay for easier work. If their job isn’t keeping up with the times, they will lose a skilled workers while they still make the same hourly. This being the case, the skilled worker would have to also receive a pay increase if they are of value to the business. This shouldn’t just impact entry level gigs and literally is the most sound move to redevelop the middle class.
Maybe. Im also for higher wages. But NOT when its forced or the wages dont reflect the skill level of the work. The idea is that you should improve your skill set so you’ll be more valuable to the job market. Continuing education, college, trade schools, whatever. Thats how we all did it. But, newer generations seem to think that Starbucks or McDonalds is supposed to provide enough income for a nice suburban house, Beemer, etc. Doesnt work that way. Those are temp jobs for teens and retirees.
I think you are certainly correct that people shouldn’t expect high paying jobs right out of the gate, but there has to be a better compromise. These people still sell up to 40 hours of their week. Wouldn’t it be more palatable if they could do a little better than barely scrape by?
What’s a little better though? They can improve their situation and then they’ll make more naturally. I’d rather see the solution come from that end. Why don’t high schools stop pushing overpriced college as the only valid option for students? Community college should be free for everyone. Let’s generate a more talented workforce. Maybe I’m too old but all of these burger joint and coffee shop jobs were never designed or intended to be one’s final career path.
We agree for the most part. Unfortunately though, community college isn’t free for everyone. The people in these jobs should be allowed the flexibility to increase their employability through post secondary training without having to pick which night of the week they will skip eating to make rent.
So unless someone has the free time and money/goes into debt for school, they shouldn’t be able to afford life working full time? This still allows more skilled workers to acquire higher wages and also decreases the number of individuals needing governmental monetary assistance. Minimum wage was intended too simply prevent starvation and provide bare subsistence. If minimum wage had kept up with inflation, it’d be around $23/hour. Bare subsistence isn’t a nice suburban house or a BMW whatsoever, its ensuring there’s a roof over there head, meals don’t have to be skipped and folks can afford to buy their meds when they’re prescribed. There seems to be a big disconnect between what workers are asking for and your interpenetration of it.
I won’t disagree with all of this. It just doesn’t seem fair to the guy or gal that truly earned their $23 an hour versus someone that just walks in the door and gets it. And, I can’t buy that people don’t have the time or money to better themselves. It’s a choice what you do with your time. Classes can be taken at night or part time. Trade schools and community colleges are NOT expensive and many trade schools are hurting for people and will train you for free, basically.
Yeah, my Beemer and big house was an exaggeration but the idea remains intact. Entry level, menial labor jobs were never designed to sustain families. They are first jobs that many of us had. The idea that they should overpay just doesn’t work for me.
Minimum wage was devised to ensure a full time worker, regardless of the specific gig, could sustain the basic necessities. The pricipals of capitalism highlight that the prior $23/hour employee will be able to get the same pay for easier work. If their job isn’t keeping up with the times, they will lose a skilled workers while they still make the same hourly. This being the case, the skilled worker would have to also receive a pay increase if they are of value to the business. This shouldn’t just impact entry level gigs and literally is the most sound move to redevelop the middle class.