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No one really thinks the minimum wage is going to go up to $15.00/hr. It's just a negotiating ploy. $10-11/hr would be reasonable, though. Raising the minimum wage is a logical first step in addressing the exploding wealth gap in this country.
Increasing the minimum wage will have absolutely no effect on the wealth gap in the US. Even if no one lost their job and there was no inflation, it would only reduce the wealth gap by a few percentiles.
If you want to reduce wealth inequality, then go directly after the money. That means increase capital gains taxes. Wealth taxes are even more direct, but it is not compatible with the constitution and it would lead to capital flight.
that would be a raise of 8 dollars for 70% of the population, gasoline would really be $5 a gallon then. inflation go through the roof.
Let's do the math. Let's assume that the average gas jockey in New Jersey pumps 200 gallons an hour.
$8 dollars divided by 200 gallons comes to 4 cents a gallon.
No one really thinks the minimum wage is going to go up to $15.00/hr. It's just a negotiating ploy. $10-11/hr would be reasonable, though. Raising the minimum wage is a logical first step in addressing the exploding wealth gap in this country.
I would like to think so MaseMan, but sadly it seems to be an ever growing trend in America of the what about me people and agendas. It's about me and my group. And these self absorbed want to be heroes could care less about us as a whole, us as a nation.
I just see if minimum wage goes up even near $15 alot of people and business' will be effected negatively.
And cause it going up doesn't mean there are going to be better workers, more slackers in my opinion.
I myself don't believe that would help the exploding wealth gap. I am not sure sure there is one, but that is a different thread.
WM cannot afford it. 1.2 million workers * $4.75 an hour (WM avg is about $10.25) * 30 hours per week * 115% (as employer SS, Medicare, Workers comp, etc are linear to wages) and you are looking at 10 billion in cost per year, on a corp earning just 3-4% of revenue in profit annually. All stockholders would dump their shares, no one would invest, and 1.2 million jobs would be lost.
Wal-Mart's average is most certainly not 10.25. The only way you'd get that average is by including salaried managers into the math. I have on several different occasions asked employees what they're making in different store and the answer is almost always $8.50 for sales associates, and 7.50 for cashiers. They may pay more in places like California or Massachusetts simply because the price of everything there is inflated, but even there were talking probably $9. Otoh a vast majority of people at Wal-Mart are still stuck at the register because their work attitude sucks, they call out, ate lazy etc. Wal-Mart promotes people all the time if they're good workers. My wife's mother worked there and not even a year later got offered management positions, and those positions pay between 35k and 60k depending on the level. One of my neighbors who has worked at McDonald's for nine years was offered management positions twice and stupidly turned it down. Managers make about 35k. Even in retail/fast as long as you're willing to work hard you can move up.
When I worked at two different retail locations in less then a year i was always given more responsibility. None of these came with a pay raise but they did come with more hours, and if I did well at those, management is in the future. Show up on time everyday, do your best at everything, try your hardest to learn every skill you can, and you can still succeed at crap jobs.
Another attitude trait I've noticed is alot of people who are in management have a positive cheery attitude and are more enthusiastic about their work. Most of the long time stuck in the same position people are obviously reeking of dissatisfaction with their circumstances. Attitude goes a long way.
Last edited by non-linear; 02-16-2015 at 07:29 AM..
Wrong, non-linear. The WM 1 mile from me right now pays above $9 storewide. WM also promotes 90,000 employees per year, and 75% lack college degrees, so we should not wish to cut off the entity which provides the best mass opportunities to those who usually get so few chances.
Wal-Mart's average is most certainly not 10.25. The only way you'd get that average is by including salaried managers into the math. I have on several different occasions asked employees what they're making in different store and the answer is almost always $8.50 for sales associates, and 7.50 for cashiers. They may pay more in places like California or Massachusetts simply because the price of everything there is inflated, but even there were talking probably $9. Otoh a vast majority of people at Wal-Mart are still stuck at the register because their work attitude sucks, they call out, ate lazy etc. Wal-Mart promotes people all the time if they're good workers. My wife's mother worked there and not even a year later got offered management positions, and those positions pay between 35k and 60k depending on the level. One of my neighbors who has worked at McDonald's for nine years was offered management positions twice and stupidly turned it down. Managers make about 35k. Even in retail/fast as long as you're willing to work hard you can move up.
When I worked at two different retail locations in less then a year i was always given more responsibility. None of these came with a pay raise but they did come with more hours, and if I did well at those, management is in the future. Show up on time everyday, do your best at everything, try your hardest to learn every skill you can, and you can still succeed at crap jobs.
uhm
the average wage at walmart (NOT INCLUDING MANAGERS) is 11.83
I would like to think so MaseMan, but sadly it seems to be an ever growing trend in America of the what about me people and agendas. It's about me and my group. And these self absorbed want to be heroes could care less about us as a whole, us as a nation.
I just see if minimum wage goes up even near $15 alot of people and business' will be effected negatively.
And cause it going up doesn't mean there are going to be better workers, more slackers in my opinion.
I myself don't believe that would help the exploding wealth gap. I am not sure sure there is one, but that is a different thread.
There most definitely is a massive wealth gap. But the better plan is subsidizing workers in low wage industries, expanding EITC etc. And spending more time in govt figuring out how to bring more gainful employment into the economy. Right now we have an economy that is made up of 34% low wage jobs. It's projected that by 2020 it will account for 44% of the economy, and the largest sector of job growth coming out of the recession was in low wage industries. Capitalism has become so efficient we have out jobbed ourselves and its only going to get worse. Raising minimum wage is a bandaid fix for a much larger problem that needs addressed and is honestly the worst way to help poor people. I like welfare, and as long as the current work requirements are in effect I see no reason why it shouldn't be expanded and we've also got to continue to reform taxes. We need to address our retarded corporate tax, it's too high, and we need to start getting rid of loopholes for billionaires. We need a shift from corporate and capital gains tax to income tax and making sure the richest of those pay their fair share. Whether hard core right wingers want to admit it or nit there is no way you can cram 300 million people together and not have a healthy balance of market and state economics. Especially with a serious shift in our economic climate. There's no going back to great jobs with great pay for everyone. College students must also be mindful of what degree program they chose. Don't pick something that's not marketable. Too many people do this. Find out where projected job growth is and follow it. Long gone are the days a psychology and business major being a catch all.
Wrong, non-linear. The WM 1 mile from me right now pays above $9 storewide. WM also promotes 90,000 employees per year, and 75% lack college degrees, so we should not wish to cut off the entity which provides the best mass opportunities to those who usually get so few chances.
I never stated we should cut them off. Wal-Mart provides tons of jobs for low skill workers and opportunities for those willing to work hard. Where do you live and how do you know they pay that?
I live in NJ, but am at a Milford, Ct hotel where I grew up, and a WM is nearby. I know many of the employees, and Ct's minimum wage is $9.15.
Overall WM has well under 1% of all US employees at the US minimum wage. Most stores have started folks around $1 above minimum nationwide; I saw that same pattern in Tn, where I lived 17 years. Few stay at that level.
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Stop letting the media scare you
