NYC: Fast-food workers strike, citing low wages: 'It's not enough'

[CaseyJones]

http://inplainsight.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/04/17587032-fast-food-workers-strike-citing-low-wages-its-not-enough?lite


They work for some of the biggest businesses in the United States, yet they are among the country's lowest-paid workers.

On Thursday, fast-food workers staged walkouts at McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell and other restaurants in New York City to call attention to their plight. Organizers scheduled the job actions to commemorate the day Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated 45 years ago in Memphis, where he was supporting a strike by sanitation workers.

"It's not enough," Elba Godoy, a crew member at a McDonald's just a few blocks from Times Square, said of her $7.25-per-hour minimum wage, which helps support her extended family of seven. "They don't like [that we're out here], but we have to do it. We cannot survive on $7.25."

Godoy and her colleagues are seeking a raise to $15 an hour and the right to form a union without retaliation. The walkout is part of a national movement by low-wage workers to raise wages and gain rights.

more at link ^

:rolleyes: Just moving themselves closer to being replaced by robots

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?409340-Robots-in-service-industry-next

[VBRonPaulFan]

lol, you don't want to work at BK or McD's for $7.25 an hour? work hard in school and learn a skill so you don't have to.

[WM_in_MO]

lol, you don't want to work at BK or McD's for $7.25 an hour? work hard in school and learn a skill so you don't have to.
Develop skills? Madness!

[jkr]

I GOT A 50 CENT RAISE!

that = 1 dollar more per week take home...

[bolil]

Here is the thing: Such jobs are jobs meant for YOUNG PEOPLE. Highschool kids perhaps, save the GM?

What is really absurd is that a job at a fast food joint has actually become all these strikers' careers. They are not there to make some money, learn some work ethic, and move on. They remain because: a. Too lazy to pursue other things b. content with working at mcdonalds for low wages. c.no other reasonable opportunities exist.

While both a and b are totally valid, I think c is more the culprit. The sad thing is that people are relegated into the mere operators of machines.

[VBRonPaulFan]

Here is the thing: Such jobs are jobs meant for YOUNG PEOPLE. Highschool kids perhaps, save the GM?

What is really absurd is that a job at a fast food joint has actually become all these strikers' careers. They are not there to make some money, learn some work ethic, and move on. They remain because: a. Too lazy to pursue other things b. content with working at mcdonalds for low wages. c.no other reasonable opportunities exist.

While both a and b are totally valid, I think c is more the culprit. The sad thing is that people are relegated into the mere operators of machines.

there are lots of opportunities, just none that these types of folks have the necessary skill set for. they were too busy in school trying to act like a badass, or worry about what person x, y, and z was wearing, or they were more into music or sports. it also doesn't help that most of the public schools these folks went to can't even teach basic reading, writing, and math correctly.

so what happens when you finish school and you're a dumbass? you end up having to work a job normally reserved for high school students, because.... they're only as smart as a high school student.

[VIDEODROME]

Well, I say good for them. If people are really upset about wages I'd rather see them take matters into their own hands than see a mandatory across the board minimum wage.

I do kind of sympathize. I used to work and Walmart knowing the top people were raking in insane salaries and be thinking what the fuck. I'd be totally fine with executives earning less so the rank and file can earn more and not make people live with multiple roommates in crammed into tiny apartments. It's ridiculous.

Doesn't mean I want the heavy hand of government directing the economy and market though.

[Cowlesy]

Maybe they should all just quit and take higher paying jobs elsewhere. Since no one else apparently will take the job at that wage in their logic, the company will be forced to shutdown or raise wages.

Life involves risks. Good to see they're taking one.

[oyarde]

Minimum wage ? Is it enough ? UH , no and it never will be for an adult living by themself .The should be no minimum wage.These jobs are for kids .More cannot have them the more an employer is required to give.Want more moey ? grow up , move on .

[kathy88]

90 percent of those people couldn't make change if the registers went down.

[VIDEODROME]

You know at least these people are working and not just staying on unemployment benefit forever.

I mean what can you say to a guy who lost his job in a factory? You shouldn't work at McDonalds or Starbucks because those jobs are for teenagers?

[tttppp]

I would just fire these workers and move on. If you walk out at work, thats grounds for termination.

[EBounding]

I had no idea the minimum wage was only $7.25 in New York. Lots more room to dig the grave even deeper.

[jbauer]

so the $7.25/hr plus all the goverment goodies you get (house, utilities, food, phone, health, tax credits per kid, daycare etc) isn't enough? Hell thats more then I make right now, maybe I should quit and go work in the food court

[torchbearer]

just wait until they get taxed for not having health insurance. their corporate fast-food place had enough money to get an exemption from providing insurance.

[Cowlesy]

You know at least these people are working and not just staying on unemployment benefit forever.

I mean what can you say to a guy who lost his job in a factory? You shouldn't work at McDonalds or Starbucks because those jobs are for teenagers?

They aren't working; they're protesting.

Some of us are just bitter because we had crap jobs (literally, worked at a sewer plant) for less than these guys make per hour, and I was happy to find work when so many are looking.

[PaulConventionWV]

http://inplainsight.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/04/17587032-fast-food-workers-strike-citing-low-wages-its-not-enough?lite



more at link ^

:rolleyes: Just moving themselves closer to being replaced by robots

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?409340-Robots-in-service-industry-next

$15/hour?

They show their ignorance. The company would go out of business if it paid all of their cashiers $15/hr. The least they could do is offer reasonable negotiations instead of taking advantage of the strike to ask for something they can never get.

[PaulConventionWV]

I GOT A 50 CENT RAISE!

that = 1 dollar more per week take home...

You only work 2 hours per week?

[BAllen]

Where's the labor unions? Perfect opportunity for them, here.

[PaulConventionWV]

90 percent of those people couldn't make change if the registers went down.

Probably because the drawers lock.

[Brian4Liberty]

lol, you don't want to work at BK or McD's for $7.25 an hour? work hard in school and learn a skill so you don't have to.

As long as you don't follow the "common wisdom" (propaganda) of the past 25 years of taking out massive student loans to do it.

[devil21]

$15/hour?

They show their ignorance. The company would go out of business if it paid all of their cashiers $15/hr. The least they could do is offer reasonable negotiations instead of taking advantage of the strike to ask for something they can never get.

If their wages were doubled, it stands to reason that the product prices would also be doubled to maintain the profit margin. Who's going to pay $12 for a Big Mac combo? NOT ME! Then again, prices for food in the Times Square area are a good bit higher than most everywhere else in the country so their Big Mac combo might even be $15.

[Anti Federalist]

Pikers.

Make the minimum wage $1000 an hour.

Then we'll all be rich.

[abacabb]

there are lots of opportunities, just none that these types of folks have the necessary skill set for. they were too busy in school trying to act like a badass, or worry about what person x, y, and z was wearing, or they were more into music or sports. it also doesn't help that most of the public schools these folks went to can't even teach basic reading, writing, and math correctly.

so what happens when you finish school and you're a dumbass? you end up having to work a job normally reserved for high school students, because.... they're only as smart as a high school student.
Dude, my wife is college educated and she can't even get a job in a fast food joint. Too much competition.

The economy sucks, don't blame the workers. Not everyone was a meth head in high school.

[RickyJ]

They pay only $7.25 an hour in NYC at fast food jobs? I kind of doubt this. But if they want $15 they won't get it anytime soon at a fast food place unless they become an assistant manager.

[jbauer]

Dude, my wife is college educated and she can't even get a job in a fast food joint. Too much competition.

The economy sucks, don't blame the workers. Not everyone was a meth head in high school.

Where do you live? I live in TN and we tend to run +2-3% of the national unemployment rate. Nearly all the fast food places have hiring signs out.

[abacabb]

Where do you live? I live in TN and we tend to run +2-3% of the national unemployment rate. Nearly all the fast food places have hiring signs out.
Sadly not TN!

[RickyJ]

Dude, my wife is college educated and she can't even get a job in a fast food joint. Too much competition.

The economy sucks, don't blame the workers. Not everyone was a meth head in high school.

Those with jobs sometimes live in their own little worlds and don't have a clue what is really going on in the job market. Many want ads for better paying jobs don't even exist, they are there to show there is a shortage of those jobs so they can lobby Congress to let them bring in more foreigners to work here at lower wages than Americans.

[Cowlesy]

I'd love to invite these guys to spend a day on the back of a hay wagon tossing bails. Another fun high school job.

[RickyJ]

Where do you live? I live in TN and we tend to run +2-3% of the national unemployment rate. Nearly all the fast food places have hiring signs out.

I guess welfare pays better than those jobs then. No one should be able to get welfare if jobs are available but they just won't take them.

[devil21]

Dude, my wife is college educated and she can't even get a job in a fast food joint. Too much competition.

The economy sucks, don't blame the workers. Not everyone was a meth head in high school.

It's likely not competition in her case. She's overqualified and fast food won't hire her because they know she'll be looking for another job the whole time. No sense hiring someone, training them, setting up the admin side stuff, then having them quit 3 weeks later for a different job they are more qualified for. Most people don't realize how expensive it is for businesses to hire people.

[BAllen]

Where's the labor unions? Perfect opportunity for them, here.

bump

[KingNothing]

Why is anyone criticizing them?

This is how the market works. If they are worth more, actions such as this will force employers to compensate them appropriately.

[Sam I am]

If you don't like how much your job pays you than you can just stop working there, and if you don't think that will help you get paid more, than convince your co-workers to do likewise.

...

waitaminute!

[KingNothing]

If their wages were doubled, it stands to reason that the product prices would also be doubled to maintain the profit margin.

You know this would imply that 100-percent of the product's cost came from wages, right?

I think these actions are silly, but I will NEVER begrudge anyone (particularly people who are willing to work) for taking action to do what they feel is in their best interest.

[KingNothing]

Where do you live? I live in TN and we tend to run +2-3% of the national unemployment rate. Nearly all the fast food places have hiring signs out.

Agreed. Low-wage, part-time, employers are almost always looking for bodies. An able person who is willing to work probably would not have a problem finding some hours at a joint like McDonalds.

[DamianTV]

Is this strike somewhat in protest to the "McDonalds requiring a College Degree to be a minimum wage part time employee" story?

[silverhandorder]

No way they going to get the raise. No one will go to fast food if they raise the price to meet the raises and they do not make enough profit to afford to do this.

NYC is a cesspool of socialists. This is all pushed by social science majors in CUNY system. While I attended Brooklyn college these were the only people that would spout this BS on the University dime. They would be allowed to come in 101 social science classes and advocate for this garbage. The classes almost universally attended by the student body due to the nature of required liberal arts credits. So they can pick up a ton of people devoid of critical thinking and spread any news such as strikes. It is interesting that this has not spread anywhere else. I would say a tell tale sign of the geographical limits of CUNY socialist machine.

[BAllen]

http://www.alternet.org/hot-news-views/restaurant-union-workers-win-historic-victory-new-york-city

[Cowlesy]

No way they going to get the raise. No one will go to fast food if they raise the price to meet the raises and they do not make enough profit to afford to do this.

NYC is a cesspool of socialists. This is all pushed by social science majors in CUNY system. While I attended Brooklyn college these were the only people that would spout this BS on the University dime. They would be allowed to come in 101 social science classes and advocate for this garbage. The classes almost universally attended by the student body due to the nature of required liberal arts credits. So they can pick up a ton of people devoid of critical thinking and spread any news such as strikes. It is interesting that this has not spread anywhere else. I would say a tell tale sign of the geographical limits of CUNY socialist machine.

As someone who walks by a big CUNY branch on a daily basis, I can attest to how correct you are.

[DamianTV]

I know a guy that is 50 and just went back to college after being out of work for too long to his liking. Now he is a hard core socialist. He said college opened his mind to all that socialism has to offer, like Social Security. /sigh

This really leads me to ask which is worse, to be Misinformed, or Uninformed?

[Cowlesy]

You know libertarians/republicans/whatever get a bad rap for not being compassionate but damn, there are lots of people who are just looking for work period. These folks can certainly protest loudly, and I am sure it makes their smug effete liberal friends at CUNY happy, but if you're that unhappy, then quit!! Go work somewhere else if you have that many options. And I imagine with McDonald's if they wanted to work hard and move up, there would be options. The current CEO started off as a fry cook. Many of the other top executives worked up from being line workers. And frankly, I've been to a few Midtown McDonald's over the years, and it's not like they're slavishly running around sweating like chickens with their heads cut off, overworked to the bone. It's usually mediocre service by someone who is paying half attention to you, and half to their $500 smartphone. (And that's not all workers, some are of course great).

I wish everyone could get paid tons of cash and be happy, but at certain points of one's life, you might just have a hard slog of it. At the same time, the shift manager at McD's isn't holding a revolver to your head and screaming "Get to work, peasant!"

[DamianTV]

They blame McDonalds for raising their prices every time Minimum Wage goes up.

They blame McDonalds for just having low wages to begin with.

But no one is smart enough to blame the Federal Reserve for causing just about every financial problem that ails them all.

[KrokHead]

It's sad that a lot of workers are underpaid. Those 8 dollar an hour wages are not libertarian, as those workers likely use social programs to be able to live.

8 dollars goes nowhere south of Ulster and Columbia counties.

[Intoxiklown]

Anyone working at a fast food joint flipping fries over the age of 35 should just shoot themselves. They have failed at life. I would fire everyone of them as a "walk off the job", thereby denying their unemployment benefits, and hire entire new crews. That walk out crap would never happpen again.

[angelatc]

90 percent of those people couldn't make change if the registers went down.

90% of them can't even hand back change properly, much less count it.

Maybe they can all get jobs being health care navigators!

[angelatc]

It's sad that a lot of workers are underpaid. Those 8 dollar an hour wages are not libertarian, as those workers likely use social programs to be able to live.

8 dollars goes nowhere south of Ulster and Columbia counties.


you seem to be confusing liberal with libertarians, because those wages are absolutely libertarian.

[Cowlesy]

Anyone working at a fast food joint flipping fries over the age of 35 should just shoot themselves. They have failed at life. I would fire everyone of them as a "walk off the job", thereby denying their unemployment benefits, and hire entire new crews. That walk out crap would never happpen again.

Sounds like trolling to me.

When you need to feed your family, you find a job.

[MelissaWV]

Sounds like trolling to me.

When you need to feed your family, you find a job.

This.

There is nothing wrong with working a crappy job (or two or three, when you can get them) or even being poor or homeless. There is something wrong with staying there and whining that the world owes you better, without going out and bettering your situation.

[Christian Liberty]

I guess welfare pays better than those jobs then. No one should be able to get welfare if jobs are available but they just won't take them.

Remove the underlined part. The bold part is enough.

Anyone working at a fast food joint flipping fries over the age of 35 should just shoot themselves. They have failed at life. I would fire everyone of them as a "walk off the job", thereby denying their unemployment benefits, and hire entire new crews. That walk out crap would never happpen again.

Now this is just mean. Neg rep....

[tttppp]

They pay only $7.25 an hour in NYC at fast food jobs? I kind of doubt this. But if they want $15 they won't get it anytime soon at a fast food place unless they become an assistant manager.



I dont think assistant managers make that much either. I was a manager at a movie theater doing far more than a McDonalds manager and I only made 11/hr salary.

[Antischism]

Good for them. The anti-worker sentiment in this thread is disgusting. Sounds like a bunch of bitter people belittling the younger generation of today because they didn't have to walk 300 miles barefoot in the snow in the old days to deliver Big Bubba's bottled milk. They totally have it easy in this job economy making, wait for it... WHOA. $7.50 an hour in New York City!

They can protest all they want, just as they can be fired for being terrible employees. Let it sort itself out and quit being bitter, unless you'd rather they collect unemployment.

[KrokHead]

I dont think assistant managers make that much either. I was a manager at a movie theater doing far more than a McDonalds manager and I only made 11/hr salary.

I made $9.50 an hour when I was assistant manager of Dunkin Donuts six years ago. I made good money after tips and sixty plus hours a week but if it weren't for overtime I would have been broke.

[osan]

You know at least these people are working and not just staying on unemployment benefit forever.

I mean what can you say to a guy who lost his job in a factory? You shouldn't work at McDonalds or Starbucks because those jobs are for teenagers?

Valid point, but looking at it from the business POV what can you say to management? You must pay that out of work engineer $60/hour because that is what he is "worth"? McDonald's is a private enterprise. They should be able to offer $0.25 hour wages if it suits them. When the market kicks them in the teeth they will either raise their wages, suffer lower earnings, or go out of business altogether.

Most people don't know the first thing about business reality. Nothing. Jack up wages too much and the reflection in product pricing drives customers away. Of course, we could always apply the Bammy Method and simply force people at the end of a barrel to go to McDonald's for lunch every day regardless of what they charge for a Big Mac. We all know how wildly successful that approach has proven and come 2014 we will be getting a belly full.

[PaulConventionWV]

They pay only $7.25 an hour in NYC at fast food jobs? I kind of doubt this. But if they want $15 they won't get it anytime soon at a fast food place unless they become an assistant manager.

At least where I'm from, even asst. managers only make like $9/hr. That would be very high paid even for a manager. Maybe GM, but I doubt any of them have the capacity to do that.

[PaulConventionWV]

Is this strike somewhat in protest to the "McDonalds requiring a College Degree to be a minimum wage part time employee" story?

I'm pretty sure that job opening is full time, but yeah..

[amy31416]

Good for them. The anti-worker sentiment in this thread is disgusting. Sounds like a bunch of bitter people belittling the younger generation of today because they didn't have to walk 300 miles barefoot in the snow in the old days to deliver Big Bubba's bottled milk. They totally have it easy in this job economy making, wait for it... WHOA. $7.50 an hour in New York City!

They can protest all they want, just as they can be fired for being terrible employees. Let it sort itself out and quit being bitter, unless you'd rather they collect unemployment.

Anti-worker? We ARE the workers, we are the ones who've taken shit jobs to get by, knowing that that's what the market offers. We don't ask for handouts, supplements or other bullshit. I didn't have to walk 300 miles barefoot in the snow, but I did have to actually work--and sometimes that was for sub-minimum wage and it was my choice to do so for the better of myself and the people I worked for.

They won't collect unemployment if they're fired, and that's exactly what I'd do. Don't like $7.50/hr in NYC--then quit or move. It's one of the most expensive cities to live in on Earth--only an idiot doesn't know that. You can get ahead making minimum wage (or less) in other parts of the country. The only way it works to live off minimum wage in NYC is to live with 15+ family members, and that's just a fact of life.

[PaulConventionWV]

Anyone working at a fast food joint flipping fries over the age of 35 should just shoot themselves. They have failed at life. I would fire everyone of them as a "walk off the job", thereby denying their unemployment benefits, and hire entire new crews. That walk out crap would never happpen again.

You really shouldn't talk like that, especially in this economy. If you don't know what someone else is going through, don't judge them for it. You're being completely ignorant.

[PaulConventionWV]

I made $9.50 an hour when I was assistant manager of Dunkin Donuts six years ago. I made good money after tips and sixty plus hours a week but if it weren't for overtime I would have been broke.

Dunkin Donuts managers get tips?

[VoluntaryAmerican]

Too many slave-minded idiots even intelligent ones at the college level. We need entrepreneurial spirit it's the drive of free men and you can't get that with the federal leviathan ruling.

[Anti Federalist]

Too many slave-minded idiots even intelligent ones at the college level. We need entrepreneurial spirit it's the drive of free men and you can't get that with the federal leviathan ruling.

Look at who the FedCoats have specifically targeted over the last 30 to 40 years.

Small farmers, independent truckers, ranchers, small business people, commercial fishermen...anybody who has the slighest bit of self sufficiency.

[pacelli]

The crap they are selling as "food" isn't enough either.

[Intoxiklown]

Sounds like trolling to me.

When you need to feed your family, you find a job.


Not saying anyting about someone needing a job, that is a different matter entirely. However, when you work at a fast food joint, and decide that is your career and need to have massive raises to make it so you can live your life on the same level as someone else who either works hard to better themselves, or educated themselves to have more, then you have failed at life. Demanding people pay you more to make your failure less painful is not something I have pity on.

[tttppp]

I made $9.50 an hour when I was assistant manager of Dunkin Donuts six years ago. I made good money after tips and sixty plus hours a week but if it weren't for overtime I would have been broke.

You got lucky with the tips. We were not allowed to accept tips and managers were not allowed to accept commission even when they did go on register. I think I made just as much money as an employee as I did manager, despite 100 times the responsibilty.

[Icymudpuppy]

I know a lot of trucking companies that will pay for your CDL training and pay you a starting rate of $0.33/mile. An average hwy speed is 45 miles/hr so they could easily be making $15/hr and be part of the most powerful union in America, the Teamsters.

[liveandletlive]

Good for them. The anti-worker sentiment in this thread is disgusting. Sounds like a bunch of bitter people belittling the younger generation of today because they didn't have to walk 300 miles barefoot in the snow in the old days to deliver Big Bubba's bottled milk. They totally have it easy in this job economy making, wait for it... WHOA. $7.50 an hour in New York City!

They can protest all they want, just as they can be fired for being terrible employees. Let it sort itself out and quit being bitter, unless you'd rather they collect unemployment.

agree with this man, i went to college in NY and worked minimum wage jobs, its not easy. but getting a job at a mid-level accounting firm was worth the toil.

I empathize with these workers. I'm sick of this elitist, smug attitude by so called "libertarians" when it comes to people struggling in life. Most people arent meant to be entrepreneurs nor could these people pass a college course. To recommend they quit their jobs or "move somewhere" else is just downright tone deaf.

Doubt anything will come of these protests, theres always someone willing to take that 7.50 an hour job. i accept the free market solutions of libertarianism but i refuse to denigrate these struggling people

[BAllen]

agree with this man, i went to college in NY and worked minimum wage jobs, its not easy. but getting a job at a mid-level accounting firm was worth the toil.

I empathize with these workers. I'm sick of this elitist, smug attitude by so called "libertarians" when it comes to people struggling in life. Most people arent meant to be entrepreneurs nor could these people pass a college course. To recommend they quit their jobs or "move somewhere" else is just downright tone deaf.

Doubt anything will come of these protests, theres always someone willing to take that 7.50 an hour job

Yeah, they probably drive past the homeless, hollering "get a job!"

[osan]

You really shouldn't talk like that, especially in this economy. If you don't know what someone else is going through, don't judge them for it. You're being completely ignorant.

I have to agree. It is very easy to harshly judge - I fail in this way myself more often than I care to think.

I used to pull down ca. $500K per year. I hit 50 and that evaporated, but to say I "failed at life" would not really be reasonable. Very few people will ever do what I have done, both in terms of earnings and the responsibilities I have carried at which I have succeeded passingly well.

The fact that the economy is on life-support does not stop bills from arriving or one's stomach from growling when it needs feeding. A 40 year old person with a family to feed, clothe, and house does what he must and if that means going to work for McDonald's, there is no shame at all in doing so. And yes, I applied there, but they would not hire me. I think my resume scared them off... and now I hear they WANT college degrees to man the deep fryers. Maybe I should apply again.

No, one should resist the urge to harshly judge those in whose shoes they have not trod. My wife went through the breast cancer thing starting in 2011 and is back at work. She should not have to go to work but as yet I have failed to convince anyone to hire me for even the most humble positions. I have days when I want to claw my own eyeballs out of my head in frustration and anger at the thought that my wonderful wife is out there making the bills for us. Anyone who would tell me I am a failure were I to secure work at McD's would have to go scratch so far as I would be concerned because any attempt at trying to save someone you love from working herself to death is OK in my book. How could that ever be a thing of which to feel ashamed? Things are not always so black and white, as the saying goes.

[tttppp]

At least where I'm from, even asst. managers only make like $9/hr. That would be very high paid even for a manager. Maybe GM, but I doubt any of them have the capacity to do that.

You are right but at least a manager is worth 15/hr. I was one in a similar industry and I know I was worth more to them than 15/hr. But staff employees just are not worth the money. You can easily hire a high schooler or illegal immigrant for less. Plus as I stated before, it only takes a day to learn how to be a cashier at these places. You dont need to hire people with experience at most of these places.

[TheTexan]

It's the bankers that stole everyone's money that led to so many low wage workers competing for low wage jobs. They should be blaming the bankers imo.

[Brian4Liberty]

Globalization. It's a race to the bottom. Once the average American food server's wages equal the equivalent worker in India and China, then the hyper-inflation can start. Yippee!

[VIDEODROME]

Valid point, but looking at it from the business POV what can you say to management? You must pay that out of work engineer $60/hour because that is what he is "worth"? McDonald's is a private enterprise. They should be able to offer $0.25 hour wages if it suits them. When the market kicks them in the teeth they will either raise their wages, suffer lower earnings, or go out of business altogether.



I guess I feel this is the Labor Market pushing back. Anyway, I guess the price of those burgers also goes toward the executives who I imagine are still getting raises. Somehow the market has been able to handle that.

With that, I tend to think McDonalds should be able to offer $0.25 an hour wages as you say. On the other hand, they should get the backlash they deserve from the Labor Market. I'm against government intervention but I'm in favor of people using their right to free assembly for collective bargaining. The only role for government is to enforce the terms of any resulting contract.

[heavenlyboy34]

This.

There is nothing wrong with working a crappy job (or two or three, when you can get them) or even being poor or homeless. There is something wrong with staying there and whining that the world owes you better, without going out and bettering your situation.
This^^ Plus, I'm sure there are people out there whose subjective preference is to work in fast food. Takes all kinds. I don't see why people have to put others down just for working "bad" jobs. There's a market for burger flippers, and they play a legitimate role in adding value to the economy. I wish everyone in congress worked as hard and productively as burger flippers to make a valuable contribution to the world.
3 cheers to the unsung heroes of the world-burger flippers, janitors, etc, etc. :)

[devil21]

You know this would imply that 100-percent of the product's cost came from wages, right?

I think these actions are silly, but I will NEVER begrudge anyone (particularly people who are willing to work) for taking action to do what they feel is in their best interest.

If someone thinks possibly losing their job is in their best interest then that's their call. Stupid call imho though. McD's isn't going to sacrifice their profit margin, that their shareholders expect, to pay employees twice as much more.

[Jackie Moon]

I'd have no problem with someone who feels they are worth more than their current pay asking for a raise, whether it's $7 an hour or $100,000 a year. If they feel the're worth more they should ask for a raise.

I don't even have a problem with them walking out to strike and protest. If they really are worth it then the employer will say "wait, don't go, we can't afford to lose you". But if they're not worth the increase and can be easily replaced by someone willing to work for their current pay they should be prepared to quit or be fired.

The only problem I have comes when they use the government to force their employer to give them a raise.

[silverhandorder]

This^^ Plus, I'm sure there are people out there whose subjective preference is to work in fast food. Takes all kinds. I don't see why people have to put others down just for working "bad" jobs. There's a market for burger flippers, and they play a legitimate role in adding value to the economy. I wish everyone in congress worked as hard and productively as burger flippers to make a valuable contribution to the world.
3 cheers to the unsung heroes of the world-burger flippers, janitors, etc, etc. :)

No some jobs exist for certain demographics. Burger flipping is for kids making money on the side. Anyone who wants burger flipping as a career is a loser. I am not talking about management btw.

[Barrex]

I'd love to invite these guys to spend a day on the back of a hay wagon tossing bails. Another fun high school job.
I can do better (or did worse):
I'd love to invite these guys to spend a day tossing hay with pitchforks on the back of a wagon. Another fun high school job on grandparents farm.

:D

[abacabb]

I don't know if anyone noticed, but mcdonalds is hella expensive these days. I used to be able to get 29 cent hamburgers when I was a kid. A number 3 "value" meal now is $8.50. I'd rather go out to eat at that price.

[CaseyJones]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/04/nyc-fast-food-workers-plan-protest-to-demand-higher-wages/


“These families are facing an economic crisis now and they can’t afford to wait years for help,” de Blasio said in a statement. “Our economic future depends on helping all working people and those at the bottom of the economic ladder work their way up. That’s the only way to ensure no one is left behind.”

Fast food workers deserve union representation, said Richard Trumka, national president of the AFL-CIO, who stopped by the Wendy’s protest.

“They’re being mistreated, they’re being underpaid, they’re going to stand together until they get fair treatment and we’re going to stand with them,” Trumka said.

more at link ^

[Cowlesy]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/04/nyc-fast-food-workers-plan-protest-to-demand-higher-wages/



more at link ^

Trumka neeeeeds moooar union dues!

[thoughtomator]

Maybe the bottom line is that, with Soviet-level government interference and without a debt-fed consumer economy running at full tilt, these fast food joints don't make enough revenue to be worthwhile. Perhaps these jobs, and the fast-food places they're at, simply shouldn't exist at all.

[tttppp]

I'd have no problem with someone who feels they are worth more than their current pay asking for a raise, whether it's $7 an hour or $100,000 a year. If they feel the're worth more they should ask for a raise.

I don't even have a problem with them walking out to strike and protest. If they really are worth it then the employer will say "wait, don't go, we can't afford to lose you". But if they're not worth the increase and can be easily replaced by someone willing to work for their current pay they should be prepared to quit or be fired.

The only problem I have comes when they use the government to force their employer to give them a raise.

I have a problem with them walking out. Where do they think their paychecks come from? Strikes can potentially bankrupt a company. My policy is you can negotiate your pay all you want as long as you are getting your job done. You walk out on the company, youre fired.

[devil21]

Also worth noting that most fast food locations are just franchises, independently owned "small business". When someone complains that "McDonald's isn't paying me enough!", what they're really saying is the owner of the franchise isn't paying me enough. I don't think the corporate McD's mandates wages for each franchise's employees. That's up to the owner.

[KrokHead]

I don't know if anyone noticed, but mcdonalds is hella expensive these days. I used to be able to get 29 cent hamburgers when I was a kid. A number 3 "value" meal now is $8.50. I'd rather go out to eat at that price.

I remember that 29 cent burger deal that happened once a month in 1995. That was a real "dollar and a dream."

As a McDonald's expert, the problem is people are stupid and get the combo meal, then upgrade the soda to a smoothie, make it large (because the fries are so god damn small these days) and end up walking out with a ten dollar Big Mac Combo. When I'm a great husband and get my wife dinner, I get four McDoubles, which are glorified poor man's quarter pounders, for $4.35 after tax. I put my burgers of gluten free bread, make turkey bacon in the microwave, put hot sauce on my sucker and it's a big dinner enjoyed by all! Now if I'm a really great husband, I pay the sixty more cents to get the Mac Sauce on my wife's burgers. Or if she wants two days of breakfast, the two apple pies are still $1.

I only bother getting a big mac (for the Mrs) and the smoothies if I have a BOGO free coupon. I ain't paying 4.50 for a cheeseburger when I can get a pound of Purdue chicken for that price. (And two pounds of ghetto chicken!)

[jonhowe]

You know libertarians/republicans/whatever get a bad rap for not being compassionate but damn, there are lots of people who are just looking for work period. These folks can certainly protest loudly, and I am sure it makes their smug effete liberal friends at CUNY happy, but if you're that unhappy, then quit!! Go work somewhere else if you have that many options. And I imagine with McDonald's if they wanted to work hard and move up, there would be options. The current CEO started off as a fry cook. Many of the other top executives worked up from being line workers. And frankly, I've been to a few Midtown McDonald's over the years, and it's not like they're slavishly running around sweating like chickens with their heads cut off, overworked to the bone. It's usually mediocre service by someone who is paying half attention to you, and half to their $500 smartphone. (And that's not all workers, some are of course great).

I wish everyone could get paid tons of cash and be happy, but at certain points of one's life, you might just have a hard slog of it. At the same time, the shift manager at McD's isn't holding a revolver to your head and screaming "Get to work, peasant!"

I often go to the McDonalds on 51st and 3rd to get my boss his chicken mcnuggets. Easily the worst run fast food location I've ever been to. EVERY TIME it take more than 15 minutes to get a simple order, and then it's often wrong.