Chiocago fast food workers' strike (Chicago: loans, college, incomes)

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Chicagoist123

You do have a point. I take more naps now then ever with my job. There are some weeks we I am drained and have nothing left. Sounds a lil dirty that last sentence, but you know what I mean.

Haha, yep. I think some people think that if you have an office job, it's just a piece of cake. Of course from a physical standpoint, it is...but from a mental standpoint, it's usually much more mentally draining.....which probably explains why most people on here who have office jobs come on here and even post during work hours.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Haha, yep. I think some people think that if you have an office job, it's just a piece of cake. Of course from a physical standpoint, it is...but from a mental standpoint, it's usually much more mentally draining.....which probably explains why most people on here who have office jobs come on here and even post during work hours.

All true, and I agree $15 an hour ain't gonna happen.

But I think the bigger issue is simply the right to organize. This country has gone 180 degrees and is essentially back to the Gilded Age in terms of labor rights.

It's one thing to recall one's days in high school or college working retail or fast food (lord knows I did), but today's economy is different, young adults have these jobs, and need to survive on them.

I try not to forget that the only reason we have the rights and benefits we do is thanks to organized labor - and they won it more with blood, sweat and tears as they did in a courthouse.

[marothisu]

I agree that people need to survive, but it seems like a much more complicated problem than "Well if we raise the wages to $15/hour it'll be all good." I will almost guarantee you if that happens, some people will lose their jobs because companies don't want to increase their overall operating costs.

I wish in a perfect world they could do this, but it is what it is right now unfortunately.

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Hundreds of service workers strike in Chicago

Really? $30k per year to flip burgers and make fries? Maybe it's time for them to get another job or a better education.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

Really? $30k per year to flip burgers and make fries? Maybe it's time for them to get another job or a better education.

If you look at the economy, the better jobs aren't there.

And this ties into the frustrations - a lot of people did go out and get a better education over the past decade, but with the job market so soft, what they largely have to show for it is a crushing student loan payment.

Underneath all of this is IMO the fact that our consumer-oriented society has been sold a false bill of goods regarding what "specialization" means in a 21st century global economy.

I used to think that the outsourcing problem would dissipate over the years, as sooner or the later the masses in China would unionize, etc. But that isn't happening.

I dunno... I understand these jobs are low-skill, but on the other hand, they are often somewhat high-stress. Dealing with loads of people isn't necessarily easy, especially when you're on your feet all day.

[oakparkdude]

Unfortunately, unskilled labor has very low (monetary) value in our society.

[pvande55]

Many of the fast food workers used to have good jobs that made use of their college education or other skills. There is cheering among those I power that jobs are at long last coming back. But the quality of those jobs is not that great.

[williepotatoes]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

If you look at the economy, the better jobs aren't there.

And this ties into the frustrations - a lot of people did go out and get a better education over the past decade, but with the job market so soft, what they largely have to show for it is a crushing student loan payment.

Underneath all of this is IMO the fact that our consumer-oriented society has been sold a false bill of goods regarding what "specialization" means in a 21st century global economy.

I used to think that the outsourcing problem would dissipate over the years, as sooner or the later the masses in China would unionize, etc. But that isn't happening.

I dunno... I understand these jobs are low-skill, but on the other hand, they are often somewhat high-stress. Dealing with loads of people isn't necessarily easy, especially when you're on your feet all day.

People who think that fast food workers are all kids need to step out of the 70s and into the new millenium. I live in the land of food chains and am always astonished at how many adults are working these cheap paying jobs today. The Portillos near me is staffed by mostly young adults, full adults and 40+ adults. This trend started a long time ago. One major contributing factor driving this is 40 years of steady decline in manufacturing jobs in America. We willfully surrendered our position as the manufacturing floor for the world thru negligence and folly. Unskilled workers today are stuck in fast food and retail jobs, where advancement chances are almost nil.

The restaurants and retailers are in hog heaven, thanks to this trend. Their workforce is increasingly staffed by the more dependable, mature people and they only have to pay them childrens wages.

[andrew61]

In the real world, this is not going to work. Either these companies will lay off workers and make do with a smaller workforce, or they'll raise their prices to cover the cost (which makes life more expensive for everyone). And chances are, they'll do both of those things.

As for college grads who end up getting "stuck" in low-wage positions: If you are smart enough to complete a college education, there is plenty of lucrative work to be had if you're willing to think outside the box. Many people, for example, are making good money working online these days, self employed, setting their own hours, and loving it. Learn to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, and go out there and find a need and fill it. Don't just think in terms of, "Well, I went to college and trained to be XYZ and that's the only option I have, and I can do nothing but go on job interviews and hope someone hires me." You're limiting your possibilities if you think that way.

[Irishtom29]

Irishtom's Laws of Economics

I'm overworked, you're overpaid.

My raise is due to merit, your raise is due to greed.

My making more money is good for the economy, your making more money causes inflation.

Investors banding together to further their economic interest is Free Enterprise, workers banding together to further their economic interest is Communism.

What's in my interest is good for you, what's in your interest is bad for you.




People value hard work until they have to pay for it.