Hey, Super Size this!!!!!!

Whaaaaat? Fast -food employees are striking for a $30k yearly wage in Atlanta. Really? Would you pay more to harden your arteries so some acne faced employee can make $15/hr?

 

Its a sign of the times. When teenagers and college students worked fast food, minimum wage was acceptable. Menial jobs like fast food aren't really for teenagers and college students now, because there is an older and sometimes more skilled workforce who need these jobs. Adults have bills to pay.

Of course if you raise the wage and charge a higher price for low quality food, no one is going to eat it.

 

I think that thinking is a bit off. These types of jobs are still for teenagers and college students, as well as generally unskilled workers, and that is the problem. You have people who need something more than this sort of job but have to take it anyway, and are now trying to make the job into something it isn't.

 

I never made that kind of money...

 

Yep ... same here.

 

Just read that this goes beyond simply wanting $15/hr. They also want to be able to form unions

 

I see your point. I wasn't neccessarily trying to argue that they should be paid a higher wage, just pointing out that the people that take menial jobs like this have a need for a higher wage because of bills, kids, etc.

I actually just finished reading an article about wages in the restaurant industry. The average age of a restaurant employee is 29 and 1/4 of them have children to support.

I said I see your point, but I can also think of plenty of restaurants and stores that offer quality products superior to McDonalds and also pay their employees a living wage. McDonalds tripled the salary of their CEO last year while continuing to pay their employees a wage low enough to qualify them for government benefits.

 

Then become CEO. WTH. So now we blame Mickey D's for guvmint give away programs?

 

I don't doubt their need at all. I just think they are being totally unrealistic in expecting that need to be filled by a place like McDonalds. Why should McDonalds pay that much when there are usually plenty of school aged kids willing to work for less? If they want a living then they need to look for it someplace else, or get a skill that is actually valued.

That is how it always was where I grew up any way. I could get pissed at my job all I wanted, but I knew there were probably 3 other kids my age waiting for an opening.

 

I think 30k a year to slop around "food" is pretty extreme. I never worked fast food, but I never made more than $9/hr working random jobs in high school and college. I didn't cross over the 40k mark until I got into pharmacy/nuclear medicine. That salary was appropriate for the skills and risk involved in that field, unlike flipping burgers and pouring sodas.

 

I saw this on tv. They are striking everywhere. They were showing on CNN a particular strike in New York where people were saying they make $7.25 an hour and have kids to feed and can't make it and such... okay, I agree you can't make it on that...
But wanting $14-$15 an hour for that work? Just give them a straight 10 or 11 I think...

 

Typical negotiation tactic by going high, they’re not looking for $15 dollars an hour they’re hoping for 11 or 12


Hotwater

 

I'm still under 30k and I manage what amount to technically two entirely distinct companies, in an extremely fast paced, intuitive, cut throat industry (transportation and brokerage) and am currently on my tenth year (eighth in this position).

 

See, that proves my point. It sounds like you should get a lot more for what you're doing. There's no logical reason to pay someone 30k to work in fast food.

 

"there's always someone else that will do the job cheaper". They're called scabs or nowadays -foreigners. I don't care if they're paid 100 bucks an hour--I don't eat that crap.

 

I should; technically no less than $900 a week minimum..
Anyway I am going back to school (as you may have read, MAMA) and not necessarily to make more money, but to at least be involved in the world in a more meaningful way. Ultimately, I am working for family, and so this is why it is very difficult for me to demand a raise, and I have no doubt that I could threaten to walk and get it, which is a position in life that I do not take for granted. I very likely will do just that as I get my education going, and slowly but surely begin to fade out of the responsibility I have here. When I told one of my employees how much I make, he couldn't believe it. His paychecks are no less than double mine every week, and I am responsible for negotiating and maintaining the very work these people all have. It's complicated, of course, but I am clearly being used and it's no secret.

 

Me either. It should hardly be allowed to be called "food."

Oh, wow. Yeah, if your employees are making more than you, that's an issue. I would absolutely demand a raise. Especially having kiddos to take care of. That's sad they're taking advantage of you.

 

It truly is sad, pathetically so, even. The job has tortured me for years and at times in the past it's been the provocation of some seriously dark thoughts and behavior. I've become accustomed to it and funny enough, as I begin to feel immune to the nonsense, I suddenly find the courage to drop it and pursue education seriously.

I do have the kids to worry about, and so it's going to have to be a long and drawn out process. If I could drop everything today and move elsewhere to work part time and go to school, I'd be out the door by now. But, no matter, I'm determined, and have no doubts. I'll do it, and be happy soon

 

It sounds like pursuing education will be good for you mentally and emotionally.

Good for you! School is definitely a challenge with kids, but I have no doubt you'll do fantastic. You'll be a better dad for it. Happy parent, happy child.

 

Hmmm...I don't think I should even put in my two cents in this thread.