[Mr_250]

With the increase in min. wages comes the increase in COL for everyone. I don't know about you but I'm not getting a $1.85/hr raise. When wages go up so does the cost of everything else! Enjoy your $15 dollar hamburgers at McDonalds.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by rubygreta

Most minimum wage jobs are part-time jobs and jobs for kids living with their parents. Hopefully, as you get older, you gain experience and get better jobs.

Not any more. The average minimum wage worker in the US is 31 years old. The average fast food worker is 29.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by mrgmrg

Aren't the majority of people earning minimum wage teenagers, part-time workers, college students on summer jobs, and the like--not people supporting a family or themselves?

No. Not any more.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by WouldLoveTo

Obviously I can't be 100% sure, but it seems some of you that support this measure have never owned or worked in a true family owned small business - at least not during your adult life when this would make sense to you.

I'd be the exception to that rule.

It makes sense to me that the minimum wage should have kept up with the COL. I believe strongly that no one working full time in the US should be in poverty.

I don't pay anyone minimum wage, so maybe this doesn't effect me-- I don't run a McDonalds or a Walmart. Speaking of Walmart-- This company is owned by the richest family in the world-- and employees more minimum wage employees than any company in the world. Is there some inequity there?

I'm a little tired of subsidizing the Walton family via food stamps and other programs for their workers... You should be too.

[mrgmrg]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

Not any more. The average minimum wage worker in the US is 31 years old. The average fast food worker is 29.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 55% of all workers making the federal minimum wage are 24 or younger and 68% are part-time workers. Tables 1 - 10; Characteristics of Minimum Wage Workers: 2012

Obviously, that only includes data from states without a higher minimum wage. I haven't been to a McDonald's in years and years, but in my town they have to import workers from Eastern Europe to work there because no one locally will work in fast food.

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I'd be the exception to that rule.

It makes sense to me that the minimum wage should have kept up with the COL. I believe strongly that no one working full time in the US should be in poverty.

I don't pay anyone minimum wage, so maybe this doesn't effect me-- I don't run a McDonalds or a Walmart. Speaking of Walmart-- This company is owned by the richest family in the world-- and employees more minimum wage employees than any company in the world. Is there some inequity there?

I'm a little tired of subsidizing the Walton family via food stamps and other programs for their workers... You should be too.

I refuse to shop at Walmart. I don't consider them a mom and pop, rather they are a corporation. But they will cut hours rather than lose their own profits.

I do agree that more wages are good for employees. But you can't dispute the added expense WILL affect a small business - Walmart-type aside.

[RogerAnthony]

I think that there should be some exceptions to the minimum wage law. Businesses with a smaller number of employees, say fewer than 6, should be exempt. Also, anyone under age 18 should be exempt from being paid minimum wage. This would make it possible for small, locally owned businesses to survive and for teenagers to get work experience.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by WouldLoveTo

I refuse to shop at Walmart. I don't consider them a mom and pop, rather they are a corporation. But they will cut hours rather than lose their own profits.

I do agree that more wages are good for employees. But you can't dispute the added expense WILL affect a small business - Walmart-type aside.

If it's as simple as cutting hours-- Why don't they do it now and increase profits? Are the additional hours needed or some kind of charity?

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by RogerAnthony

I think that there should be some exceptions to the minimum wage law. Businesses with a smaller number of employees, say fewer than 6, should be exempt. Also, anyone under age 18 should be exempt from being paid minimum wage. This would make it possible for small, locally owned businesses to survive and for teenagers to get work experience.

Agreed-- but that would be too much like smart... I don't expect "smart" from our politicians too often.

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

If it's as simple as cutting hours-- Why don't they do it now and increase profits? Are the additional hours needed or some kind of charity?

Do they seem overstaffed to you? I haven't been in a Walmart for well over 10 years, but I have been in Target, Home Depot, grocery stores, even Sears - and if anything they already seem understaffed. Stop & Shop severly cut back staff in the Glastonbury area a few months ago.

RogerAnthony - great idea! But mlassoff is right, probably too smart to be implemented