THeBlueCashew

Quote from: "Renee"Paying people more than minimum wage to work at McDonalds is asinine and counter to the rules of business.

Quote from: "Renee"Why aren't there more higher paying jobs for unskilled labor? Why isn't the US economy growing at a healthy rate? Why is job creation in the US basically limited to retail and part time work?

Quote from: "Renee"Isn't it funny how these "low wage" jobs are the basis for the Obama Admins job creation numbers?

 

Paying people more than minimum wage to work at McDonalds is asinine and counter to the rules of business. You get paid what you are worth in any job. Flipping a burger or handing out fries isn't worth shit. These types of jobs are not meant to be careers and if you want to get ahead in life you shouldn't be counting on being a cashier at Wal-Mart or a burger flipper at McDonalds. Those types of jobs are starter jobs unfortunately today they are the majority of jobs available to unskilled labor. Maybe you need to ask why that is? Why aren't there more higher paying jobs for unskilled labor? Why isn't the US economy growing at a healthy rate? Why is job creation in the US basically limited to retail and part time work?

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Renee"Paying people more than minimum wage to work at McDonalds is asinine and counter to the rules of business.

Indeed. Why would any company want anything less than record billions when the government and taxpayers can make up for wages lower than they were in 1968?

Quote from: "Renee"Why aren't there more higher paying jobs for unskilled labor? Why isn't the US economy growing at a healthy rate? Why is job creation in the US basically limited to retail and part time work?

Because this is what corporations and Republicans wanted.

Quote from: "Renee"How many of those 50 million were added to the food stamp and welfare roles since Obama became president.

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Renee"How many of those 50 million were added to the food stamp and welfare roles since Obama became president.

And ever since the Great Recession.



Obama has wanted to raise the minimum wage. Corporations and Republicans are against it.



So are you. What do you expect people to do if they can't make a decent wage? Starve?

Quote from: "Shen Li"Romero, if you owned a franchise you would be paying your workers minimum wage too. If not, you will go under.

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Shen Li"^^Wal-Mart Stores  paid $7.1 billion (at a rate of 32.4%) in income taxes. However, at least your article admits that lower income people use more services and contribute less than the rest of us.

They've got a lot of nerve insisting on needing food to survive. Why can't they just find a second and third job?

Quote from: "Renee"Why not a second job?

Quote from: "Renee"If it was up to people like you everyone would be being paid $20 dollars an hour for doing $8 dollar and hour work.

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Shen Li"Romero, if you owned a franchise you would be paying your workers minimum wage too. If not, you will go under.

Sure. But minimum wage in BC is $10.25 and it's only $7.25 in the US. It needs to be more in the US.



If Americans can't make enough to afford basic necessities, we shouldn't be surprised that government and the taxpayers have to provide assistance.

Quote from: "Romero"I've never worked for minimum wage.



It's okay here in Canada. I'm talking about how bad it is in the USA. Millions are struggling, taxpayers have to make up the lack in wage that companies won't pay, and it all adds to the debt.



"Unfunded liabilities".



If minimum wage in the US was raised to about $10/hour, companies would still profit and America would be much better off.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Romero"I've never worked for minimum wage.



It's okay here in Canada. I'm talking about how bad it is in the USA. Millions are struggling, taxpayers have to make up the lack in wage that companies won't pay, and it all adds to the debt.



"Unfunded liabilities".



If minimum wage in the US was raised to about $10/hour, companies would still profit and America would be much better off.

You have never had an entry-level job in retail or fast food? Wow, that is surprising.



Anyway, this must be a tough one for the ideological left. Most mom and pop retail stores pay minimum wage. Most fast food places that also pay minimum wage in the US are also owner-operated. Does the left throw small business owners under the bus and force them to go under/reduce staff by raising their costs? Perhaps a more practical alternative would be to tell adults not to stay in kids' jobs for the rest of their lives. Seems like a much more practical alternative.

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Renee"Why not a second job?

Why not a life? Why not a livable wage when profits are at record highs? What happened to the American Dream?



It's not much of a problem in most developed nations.

Quote from: "Renee"If it was up to people like you everyone would be being paid $20 dollars an hour for doing $8 dollar and hour work.

Nah, minimum wage should be at least what it was back in 1968. We're seeing what happens when Americans can't make a decent living.

Quote from: "Romero"Two-thirds of Americans on minimum wage are adults, and one-third of Americans on minimum wage are adults with at least one child. There just aren't enough decent jobs. Thanks, outsourcing!



Can't blame the average American for not moving on up when super rich companies like Apple are using slave labour in China. This is what workers have to compete with nowadays.



It's completely unfair to pay people much less than what people were paid decades ago. I wonder how awesome the American Dream is going to be when minimum wage is still $7.25/hour twenty years from now.

Quote from: "Obvious Li"

Quote from: "Romero"Two-thirds of Americans on minimum wage are adults, and one-third of Americans on minimum wage are adults with at least one child. There just aren't enough decent jobs. Thanks, outsourcing!



Can't blame the average American for not moving on up when super rich companies like Apple are using slave labour in China. This is what workers have to compete with nowadays.



It's completely unfair to pay people much less than what people were paid decades ago. I wonder how awesome the American Dream is going to be when minimum wage is still $7.25/hour twenty years from now.

one of the "unintended consequences" of the new progressive liberal education...if you graduate and are illiterate and can't speak or read basic english i suggest a minimum wage job is about all you can expect in this world........the system is broken, and has been for some time...when the people have had enough and rise up it will change....until such time it will continue.......funny how you mention 1968 wages.....it seems back then that people  managed to have a pretty good life when govt. didn't control every aspect of daily life...go figure

Quote from: "Romero"Two-thirds of Americans on minimum wage are adults, and one-third of Americans on minimum wage are adults with at least one child. There just aren't enough decent jobs. Thanks, outsourcing!



Can't blame the average American for not moving on up when super rich companies like Apple are using slave labour in China. This is what workers have to compete with nowadays.



It's completely unfair to pay people much less than what people were paid decades ago. I wonder how awesome the American Dream is going to be when minimum wage is still $7.25/hour twenty years from now.

Quote from: "Renee"

Quote from: "Romero"Two-thirds of Americans on minimum wage are adults, and one-third of Americans on minimum wage are adults with at least one child. There just aren't enough decent jobs. Thanks, outsourcing!



Can't blame the average American for not moving on up when super rich companies like Apple are using slave labour in China. This is what workers have to compete with nowadays.



It's completely unfair to pay people much less than what people were paid decades ago. I wonder how awesome the American Dream is going to be when minimum wage is still $7.25/hour twenty years from now.

I already stated a couple of pages ago that the US needs to find a way to create more manufacturing jobs in the US that pay $12 or $15 or more an hour. But one of the big problems we face in doing that is the liberal politician's best friend, "Big Labor". As soon as the US tries to grow any kind of manufacturing labor force, Unions do their best to horn in on a piece of the action and by doing so drive across the board costs thru the roof. In past decades they did it with the auto and steel industries and almost all manufacturing industries. Now they are glomming onto the retail industry because it is the last big piece of the pie. The only way to bring manufacturing back to the US is to crush the unions and relax government regulations that prevent US made goods from being price competitive.

 

Liberal progressive politicians and their drooling low info followers don't what to hear that because it is a threat to their existence. Like you they would rather raise the minimum wage to unrealistic levels so that the burden is dumped onto the backs of the small business owner. With you people it's all about passing the buck and fucking someone else so that you can go home at night and feel good about yourselves.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Renee"

Quote from: "Romero"Two-thirds of Americans on minimum wage are adults, and one-third of Americans on minimum wage are adults with at least one child. There just aren't enough decent jobs. Thanks, outsourcing!



Can't blame the average American for not moving on up when super rich companies like Apple are using slave labour in China. This is what workers have to compete with nowadays.



It's completely unfair to pay people much less than what people were paid decades ago. I wonder how awesome the American Dream is going to be when minimum wage is still $7.25/hour twenty years from now.

I already stated a couple of pages ago that the US needs to find a way to create more manufacturing jobs in the US that pay $12 or $15 or more an hour. But one of the big problems we face in doing that is the liberal politician's best friend, "Big Labor". As soon as the US tries to grow any kind of manufacturing labor force, Unions do their best to horn in on a piece of the action and by doing so drive across the board costs thru the roof. In past decades they did it with the auto and steel industries and almost all manufacturing industries. Now they are glomming onto the retail industry because it is the last big piece of the pie. The only way to bring manufacturing back to the US is to crush the unions and relax government regulations that prevent US made goods from being price competitive.

 

Liberal progressive politicians and their drooling low info followers don't what to hear that because it is a threat to their existence. Like you they would rather raise the minimum wage to unrealistic levels so that the burden is dumped onto the backs of the small business owner. With you people it's all about passing the buck and fucking someone else so that you can go home at night and feel good about yourselves.

Hmmm, I don't know Renee. I agree that big labour is a corrupt behemoth that has it's fatcat leaders back and not the paid membership. However, do people in first world nations really want to work in steel and auto plants? I think if the USA started bring home a lot of the factories that drifted overseas they would be manned by foreigners on temporary visas. Just my 2 cents.

Quote from: "Renee"The only way to bring manufacturing back to the US is to crush the unions and relax government regulations that prevent US made goods from being price competitive.

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Renee"The only way to bring manufacturing back to the US is to crush the unions and relax government regulations that prevent US made goods from being price competitive.

Union membership has dropped dramatically and regulations have been relaxed. So where's all the good that's supposed to have happened?



You may want to notice that things have gotten worse with fewer unions and regulations. Wages are down, the middle class is disappearing, there are more in poverty...



You're arguing for more of it.

Quote from: "Renee"

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Renee"


I already stated a couple of pages ago that the US needs to find a way to create more manufacturing jobs in the US that pay $12 or $15 or more an hour. But one of the big problems we face in doing that is the liberal politician's best friend, "Big Labor". As soon as the US tries to grow any kind of manufacturing labor force, Unions do their best to horn in on a piece of the action and by doing so drive across the board costs thru the roof. In past decades they did it with the auto and steel industries and almost all manufacturing industries. Now they are glomming onto the retail industry because it is the last big piece of the pie. The only way to bring manufacturing back to the US is to crush the unions and relax government regulations that prevent US made goods from being price competitive.

 

Liberal progressive politicians and their drooling low info followers don't what to hear that because it is a threat to their existence. Like you they would rather raise the minimum wage to unrealistic levels so that the burden is dumped onto the backs of the small business owner. With you people it's all about passing the buck and fucking someone else so that you can go home at night and feel good about yourselves.

Hmmm, I don't know Renee. I agree that big labour is a corrupt behemoth that has it's fatcat leaders back and not the paid membership. However, do people in first world nations really want to work in steel and auto plants? I think if the USA started bring home a lot of the factories that drifted overseas they would be manned by foreigners on temporary visas. Just my 2 cents.

Right now I think a lot of people in the US will work anywhere given the opportunity for a halfway decent wage. Youth unemployment is thru the roof and unskilled labor is reduced to retail and fast food jobs that aren't worth more than 8 bucks an hour. Providing factory positions for $12 or $15 dollars and hour to start and add in some basic benefits, would look pretty good to those that need to put food on the table right now. Not only that we have a shitload of returning service men and women who need jobs. I'm pretty sure most of them would take a manufacting job that paid okay.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Renee"The only way to bring manufacturing back to the US is to crush the unions and relax government regulations that prevent US made goods from being price competitive.

Union membership has dropped dramatically and regulations have been relaxed. So where's all the good that's supposed to have happened?



You may want to notice that things have gotten worse with fewer unions and regulations. Wages are down, the middle class is disappearing, there are more in poverty...



You're arguing for more of it.

You mean they do not want to return because they would have to deal with corrupt big union greed all over again? Can't blame any company big or small for not wanting that.

Quote from: "Renee"
Of course union membership has dropped. A lot of the big industrial and manufacturing sectors they had their hooks in have moved off shore. They can't follow them into other countries and extort foreign workers. And don't be so naive as to think unions didn't have a big fat hand in corporations deciding to move their manufacturing to cheaper countries. It's funny how many of the most successful auto manufacturers like Toyota, Honda and VW refuse to be union shops. Their workers get a good wage, the benefits are pretty good and the workers are happy. Why; because it's not about unions, it's about corporate responsibility. Unions create a divisive work atmosphere that pits worker against employer and it's all done so that union fat cats can line the union coffers, their own pockets and their political war chests.



As for government regulations being more relaxed I'd like to see some supporting info on that.



Oh and that supporting info can't be from some liberal rag or blog either.  I guess you got your work cut out for you so get cracking Lefty.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Renee"
Of course union membership has dropped. A lot of the big industrial and manufacturing sectors they had their hooks in have moved off shore. They can't follow them into other countries and extort foreign workers. And don't be so naive as to think unions didn't have a big fat hand in corporations deciding to move their manufacturing to cheaper countries. It's funny how many of the most successful auto manufacturers like Toyota, Honda and VW refuse to be union shops. Their workers get a good wage, the benefits are pretty good and the workers are happy. Why; because it's not about unions, it's about corporate responsibility. Unions create a divisive work atmosphere that pits worker against employer and it's all done so that union fat cats can line the union coffers, their own pockets and their political war chests.



As for government regulations being more relaxed I'd like to see some supporting info on that.



Oh and that supporting info can't be from some liberal rag or blog either.  I guess you got your work cut out for you so get cracking Lefty.

The Honda plant in Alliston, Ontario is non-union I know. They never seem to have the massive lay-offs NA companies have had. The workers laid-off during the recession are all hired back now I believe. They pay very good wages and benefits like you wrote.



However, can all the big three's problems be blamed on the unions? Certainly they were no help, but how about the products being churned out in the past by the big three? Lower sales translates into job cuts for sure. For a while GM and especially Chrysler were making junk. Ford for one has really pulled up their socks. My husband has a new F-150 and loves it.

Quote from: "Renee"
Some of the problems the big three had were indeed their product line. I believe that most of their Japanese rivals go thru full model design changes about once every 4 years while the American manufacturers where redesigning their products once every 7 on average. GM who was the world's largest car maker damaged themselves with internal political squabbling between their countless divisions. Chrysler while Mercedes owned their controlling stock was treated like the redheaded step child and was starved of R&D money. So yes Unions were not totally to blame for their fall but they sure as hell didn't help. In fact they were well aware of the financial mess that the US car companies faced and did nothing to help the situation except attempt to extort more and more money out of the companies. Furthermore GM is now saddled with the UAW for life because Obama forced them to place the Union on the board of directors as part of their restructuring and bailout. One of the reasons GM dumped Saturn was because Saturn represted the last non-union shop in the GM fold.

 

You are right about Ford they really make a decent product and they didn't take any of the Obama government cheese to do it. As for their truck line, they arguably always made the best full-size pick-up on the market. Now they just make a better one. My husband who was always a GM car fan insists that the company lease purchase Ford super duties as company vehicles because they never die.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Renee"
Some of the problems the big three had were indeed their product line. I believe that most of their Japanese rivals go thru full model design changes about once every 4 years while the American manufacturers where redesigning their products once every 7 on average. GM who was the world's largest car maker damaged themselves with internal political squabbling between their countless divisions. Chrysler while Mercedes owned their controlling stock was treated like the redheaded step child and was starved of R&D money. So yes Unions were not totally to blame for their fall but they sure as hell didn't help. In fact they were well aware of the financial mess that the US car companies faced and did nothing to help the situation except attempt to extort more and more money out of the companies. Furthermore GM is now saddled with the UAW for life because Obama forced them to place the Union on the board of directors as part of their restructuring and bailout. One of the reasons GM dumped Saturn was because Saturn represted the last non-union shop in the GM fold.

 

You are right about Ford they really make a decent product and they didn't take any of the Obama government cheese to do it. As for their truck line, they arguably always made the best full-size pick-up on the market. Now they just make a better one. My husband who was always a GM car fan insists that the company lease purchase Ford super duties as company vehicles because they never die.

You seem to know more about the internal workings of the auto industry than I do. I was unaware that Obama placed the UAW on the board of directors at GM. I also didn't know Saturn was non-union when it was owned by GM.



For pure looks, I have always like the Silverado series of trucks. Don't get me wrong, my husband's white F-150 is cute, but I am partial to the looks of a nice black Silverado with heaps of chrome.

Quote from: "Obvious Li"funny how you mention 1968 wages.....it seems back then that people  managed to have a pretty good life when govt. didn't control every aspect of daily life...go figure

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Obvious Li"funny how you mention 1968 wages.....it seems back then that people  managed to have a pretty good life when govt. didn't control every aspect of daily life...go figure

In 1968 the minimum wage was higher, average wages were higher and more workers were unionized. 1968 saw a peak of civil and worker rights fought for since before the start of the Industrial Revolution. Corporations and the wealthy paid a higher fair share in taxes, helping country and economy.



Now it's 2013. The economy stinks. We've done lower wages, lower taxes, less unionization; more globalization, deregulation, merging, outsourcing... when is it going to start doing any good? Things suck more now after that all happened.  



We've been doing exactly what you and many others have wanted. It's clearly not working. It was better in 1968 when there were higher wages, unionization and taxes, wasn't it?

Quote from: "Romero"

Quote from: "Obvious Li"funny how you mention 1968 wages.....it seems back then that people  managed to have a pretty good life when govt. didn't control every aspect of daily life...go figure

In 1968 the minimum wage was higher, average wages were higher and more workers were unionized. 1968 saw a peak of civil and worker rights fought for since before the start of the Industrial Revolution. Corporations and the wealthy paid a higher fair share in taxes, helping country and economy.



Now it's 2013. The economy stinks. We've done lower wages, lower taxes, less unionization; more globalization, deregulation, merging, outsourcing... when is it going to start doing any good? Things suck more now after that all happened.  



We've been doing exactly what you and many others have wanted. It's clearly not working. It was better in 1968 when there were higher wages, unionization and taxes, wasn't it?

QuoteA Walmart in northeast Ohio is holding a holiday canned food drive — for its own underpaid employees. "Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner," a sign reads in the employee lounge of a Canton-area Walmart.



Kory Lundberg, a Walmart spokesman, says the drive is a positive thing. "This is part of the company's culture to rally around associates and take care of them when they face extreme hardships," he said. Indeed, Lundberg is correct that it's commendable to make an effort to help out those who are in need, especially during the holidays.



But the need for a food drive illustrates how difficult it is for Walmart workers to get by on its notoriously low pay. The company has long been plagued by charges that it doesn't pay its employees a real living wage.



Walmart's low wages come at a public cost. Because low-income workers still need housing and health care, taxpayers end up doling out millions in benefits to bridge the gap faced by many of the store's retail workers. They have also led to strikes at Walmart stores from Seattle to Chicago to Los Angeles in recent weeks.



Even if the canned food drive successfully gathers enough to help out the Canton store's low-income workers, many of them might not even be able to have the food on Thanksgiving. That's because Walmart is one of a group of retailers that will open its stores for Black Friday sales beginning at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving afternoon.



//http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/18/2960371/walmart-food-drive/

Quote from: "Romero"

QuoteA Walmart in northeast Ohio is holding a holiday canned food drive — for its own underpaid employees. "Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner," a sign reads in the employee lounge of a Canton-area Walmart.



Kory Lundberg, a Walmart spokesman, says the drive is a positive thing. "This is part of the company's culture to rally around associates and take care of them when they face extreme hardships," he said. Indeed, Lundberg is correct that it's commendable to make an effort to help out those who are in need, especially during the holidays.



But the need for a food drive illustrates how difficult it is for Walmart workers to get by on its notoriously low pay. The company has long been plagued by charges that it doesn't pay its employees a real living wage.



Walmart's low wages come at a public cost. Because low-income workers still need housing and health care, taxpayers end up doling out millions in benefits to bridge the gap faced by many of the store's retail workers. They have also led to strikes at Walmart stores from Seattle to Chicago to Los Angeles in recent weeks.



Even if the canned food drive successfully gathers enough to help out the Canton store's low-income workers, many of them might not even be able to have the food on Thanksgiving. That's because Walmart is one of a group of retailers that will open its stores for Black Friday sales beginning at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving afternoon.



//http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/18/2960371/walmart-food-drive/

"Benefits". Enjoy your Thanksgiving can of cream corn when you get home around two in the morning!

Quote from: "Obvious Li"


well you got one thing right......it was better in 1968.....most families had one income (the father) and lived quite well.....most people were the same.......the reasons for this were many and had little if anything to do with unions etc etc.......



in 1968, govt. was small and benign in your daily life......taxes were low, prices were low, regulations (and their costs) were a non issue...people were well educated and "progressives" were just stating to interact with their medication. If you didn't work you didn't eat. Being on social assistance was still "shameful" and to be avoided at all costs.



people had "reasonable" expectations...paid cash for the stuff they really needed...credit was almost non-existent and families bought stuff when they could afford it....luxuries, like dining out, movies or vacations occurred rarely and sparingly....it was common for someone to spend their whole adult life driving older used vehicles...chances are the clothes you wore to school were your older brothers or sisters.......



so as stated, in 1968, people still had reasonable expectations on what the system could provide....by the 70's, once people had a taste of the Trudeau liberal welfare state there was no turning back.... government intrusion in every facet of your daily life followed as the progressive socialists took over what families and parents used to do...taxes were raised, govt's borrowed to pay for their largesse....the progressives started to dumb down the people by destroying the education system and bringing in regulations to control every facet of daily life...the end result was inevitable, predictable and tragic......we are living it every day.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Obvious Li"


well you got one thing right......it was better in 1968.....most families had one income (the father) and lived quite well.....most people were the same.......the reasons for this were many and had little if anything to do with unions etc etc.......



in 1968, govt. was small and benign in your daily life......taxes were low, prices were low, regulations (and their costs) were a non issue...people were well educated and "progressives" were just stating to interact with their medication. If you didn't work you didn't eat. Being on social assistance was still "shameful" and to be avoided at all costs.



people had "reasonable" expectations...paid cash for the stuff they really needed...credit was almost non-existent and families bought stuff when they could afford it....luxuries, like dining out, movies or vacations occurred rarely and sparingly....it was common for someone to spend their whole adult life driving older used vehicles...chances are the clothes you wore to school were your older brothers or sisters.......



so as stated, in 1968, people still had reasonable expectations on what the system could provide....by the 70's, once people had a taste of the Trudeau liberal welfare state there was no turning back.... government intrusion in every facet of your daily life followed as the progressive socialists took over what families and parents used to do...taxes were raised, govt's borrowed to pay for their largesse....the progressives started to dumb down the people by destroying the education system and bringing in regulations to control every facet of daily life...the end result was inevitable, predictable and tragic......we are living it every day.

People today spend more on government than they do on food, shelter and clothing. There was the global cooling scare then not the legal theft known as global warming today which is the biggest assault on working people there is. You have the all these hands robbing working people today, big government, big NGO's, big labour, and big crony capitalism(Obongo).



I hope my son's generation will be liberated from this madness.

QuoteThe latest friendly advice from McDonald's to their low-wage workers includes tips on how to better handle stress--as well as how to fill yourself up better with dinner.  The fast-food corporation instructs workers that breaking food "into pieces" will keep you full.



A video published by Low Pay Is Not OK shows the website's advice to workers.  One piece of advice given is for workers to take two vacations a year--an impossible task given that many employees work two low-wage jobs.  It tells workers to "sing away stress" because it "can lower your blood pressure."  And it tells McDonald's employees to break "food into pieces," which "results in eating less and still feeling full."



McDonald's had previously come under fire for telling workers to apply for food stamps while being employed by a fast-food corporation raking in billions annually. Many McDonald's workers make minimum wage.  The federal minimum wage rate is $7.25 an hour.



//http://www.alternet.org/mcdonalds-advice-employees-break-food-pieces-keep-you-full

Quote from: "Romero"No article has claimed franchise owners rake in billions. McDonald's does. McDonald's can well afford to give their franchisees more to pay their workers a living wage.



Or the company should be forced to. "If you're hungry break food into pieces"? How cruel is it going to get?



No problem paying a living wage in Canada and most other countries!

QuoteMcDonald's franchise owners are mobilizing against corporate.



The franchisees, who operate 90% of McDonald's restaurants, say the company is charging too much for rent, remodeling, and fees for training, reports Leslie Patton at Bloomberg News.



The franchisees told Patton they are currently paying up to 12% of store sales in rent. They're asking the company to return to a "historic rate" of 8.5%.



//http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-franchise-owners-hold-meeting-2013-8

Quote from: "Romero"No article has claimed franchise owners rake in billions. McDonald's does. McDonald's can well afford to give their franchisees more to pay their workers a living wage.



Or the company should be forced to. "If you're hungry break food into pieces"? How cruel is it going to get?



No problem paying a living wage in Canada and most other countries!

Quote from: "Renee"

Quote from: "Romero"No article has claimed franchise owners rake in billions. McDonald's does. McDonald's can well afford to give their franchisees more to pay their workers a living wage.



Or the company should be forced to. "If you're hungry break food into pieces"? How cruel is it going to get?



No problem paying a living wage in Canada and most other countries!

 

It's obvious that you don't get it. Unless the McDonald's location is corporate owned, the franchise owner pays his employees salaries.



BTW, don't even try to tell us that you can make a "living wage" working at McDonalds in Canada. That claim is too butt fucking naive; no stupid,  to even give more than a passing chuckle.  



Troll fail; wait NO, troll EPIC fail on that one.

QuoteTis the season for holiday spirit: Yule logs, egg nog, festive lights and exchanging gifts with loved ones. If you work for McDonald's, though, be sure to save those receipts.



McDonald's McResource Line, a dedicated website run by the world's largest fast-food chain to provide its 1.8 million employees with financial and health-related tips, offers a full page of advice for "Digging Out From Holiday Debt." Among their helpful holiday tips: "Selling some of your unwanted possessions on eBay or Craigslist could bring in some quick cash."



McDonald's employees are some of the most underpaid workers in the country. The company's cashiers and "team members" earn, on average, $7.75 an hour, just 50 cents higher than the federal minimum wage. Responding to rising living costs, many stores have staged walk-outs, strikes and protests, demanding a living wage. In Europe, where the minimum wage for employees is $12, customers pay just pennies more than their American counterparts for the same menu items, while the stores themselves typically bring in higher profit margins than ones in the United States.



Of course, McDonalds has shown little willingness to negotiate higher salaries for their poorest workers even as labor rights groups up the pressure. Instead, their website has another piece of advice for people who are stressed about their meager paychecks: "Quit complaining," the site suggests. "Stress hormones levels rise by 15% after 10 minutes of complaining."



//http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/19/2970651/mcdonalds-advice-underpaid-employees-sell-christmas-presents-cash/

Quote from: "Romero"

QuoteTis the season for holiday spirit: Yule logs, egg nog, festive lights and exchanging gifts with loved ones. If you work for McDonald's, though, be sure to save those receipts.



McDonald's McResource Line, a dedicated website run by the world's largest fast-food chain to provide its 1.8 million employees with financial and health-related tips, offers a full page of advice for "Digging Out From Holiday Debt." Among their helpful holiday tips: "Selling some of your unwanted possessions on eBay or Craigslist could bring in some quick cash."



McDonald's employees are some of the most underpaid workers in the country. The company's cashiers and "team members" earn, on average, $7.75 an hour, just 50 cents higher than the federal minimum wage. Responding to rising living costs, many stores have staged walk-outs, strikes and protests, demanding a living wage. In Europe, where the minimum wage for employees is $12, customers pay just pennies more than their American counterparts for the same menu items, while the stores themselves typically bring in higher profit margins than ones in the United States.



Of course, McDonalds has shown little willingness to negotiate higher salaries for their poorest workers even as labor rights groups up the pressure. Instead, their website has another piece of advice for people who are stressed about their meager paychecks: "Quit complaining," the site suggests. "Stress hormones levels rise by 15% after 10 minutes of complaining."



//http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/19/2970651/mcdonalds-advice-underpaid-employees-sell-christmas-presents-cash/

Geez, what's next?



"Short on cash? You could try selling drugs, or your children if you have any".

QuoteTo start, some Australians actually make less than the adult minimum wage. The country allows lower pay for teenagers, and the labor deal McDonald's struck with its employees currently pays 16-year-olds roughly US$8-an-hour, not altogether different from what they'd make in the states. In an email, Greg Bamber, a professor at Australia's Monash University who has studied labor relations in the country's fast food industry, told me that as a result, McDonald's relies heavily on young workers in Australia. It's a specific quirk of the country's wage system. But it goes to show that even in generally high-pay countries, restaurants try to save on labor where they can.



It's also possible that McDonald's keeps its prices down overseas by squeezing more productivity out of its workers. Researchers studying the impact of minimum wage increases on American fast food chains in the Deep South have found that while restaurants mostly cope by their raising prices, they also respond by handing their employees more responsibility. It stands to reason that in places like Europe and Australia, managers have found ways to get more mileage out of their staff as well.



Or if not, they've at least managed to replace a few of them with computers. As Michael Schaefer, an analyst with Euromonitor International, told me, fast food franchises in Europe have been some of the earliest adopters of touchscreen kiosks that let customers order without a cashier. As always, the peril of making employees more expensive is that machines become cheaper in comparison.



Finally, McDonald's has also helped its bottom line abroad by experimenting with higher margin menu items while trying to court more affluent customers. Way back in 1993, for instance, Australia became home to the first McCafe coffee shops, which sell highly profitable espresso drinks. During the last decade, meanwhile, the company gave its European restaurants a designer make-over and began offering more localized menus meant to draw a higher spending crowd.



So if President Obama waved a magic wand tomorrow and raised the minimum wage to $10 or $15, does this all mean that U.S. fast food chains would be able to cope? "Were that to happen overnight, it would be a hugely traumatic process," Schaefer told me. After all, virtually every fast food franchise in the country would have to rethink its business model as their profits evaporated. But as the international market shows, the models are out there. It would certainly mean more expensive burgers. It would almost definitely mean fewer workers, as restaurants found ways to streamline their staffs, either through better management or technology. And it might mean fewer chains catering to the bottom of the market.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/the-magical-world-where-mcdonalds-pays-15-an-hour-its-australia/278313/

Quote from: "Shen Li"

QuoteTo start, some Australians actually make less than the adult minimum wage. The country allows lower pay for teenagers, and the labor deal McDonald's struck with its employees currently pays 16-year-olds roughly US$8-an-hour, not altogether different from what they'd make in the states. In an email, Greg Bamber, a professor at Australia's Monash University who has studied labor relations in the country's fast food industry, told me that as a result, McDonald's relies heavily on young workers in Australia. It's a specific quirk of the country's wage system. But it goes to show that even in generally high-pay countries, restaurants try to save on labor where they can.



It's also possible that McDonald's keeps its prices down overseas by squeezing more productivity out of its workers. Researchers studying the impact of minimum wage increases on American fast food chains in the Deep South have found that while restaurants mostly cope by their raising prices, they also respond by handing their employees more responsibility. It stands to reason that in places like Europe and Australia, managers have found ways to get more mileage out of their staff as well.



Or if not, they've at least managed to replace a few of them with computers. As Michael Schaefer, an analyst with Euromonitor International, told me, fast food franchises in Europe have been some of the earliest adopters of touchscreen kiosks that let customers order without a cashier. As always, the peril of making employees more expensive is that machines become cheaper in comparison.



Finally, McDonald's has also helped its bottom line abroad by experimenting with higher margin menu items while trying to court more affluent customers. Way back in 1993, for instance, Australia became home to the first McCafe coffee shops, which sell highly profitable espresso drinks. During the last decade, meanwhile, the company gave its European restaurants a designer make-over and began offering more localized menus meant to draw a higher spending crowd.



So if President Obama waved a magic wand tomorrow and raised the minimum wage to $10 or $15, does this all mean that U.S. fast food chains would be able to cope? "Were that to happen overnight, it would be a hugely traumatic process," Schaefer told me. After all, virtually every fast food franchise in the country would have to rethink its business model as their profits evaporated. But as the international market shows, the models are out there. It would certainly mean more expensive burgers. It would almost definitely mean fewer workers, as restaurants found ways to streamline their staffs, either through better management or technology. And it might mean fewer chains catering to the bottom of the market.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/the-magical-world-where-mcdonalds-pays-15-an-hour-its-australia/278313/

Despite what leftist editorials like 'thinkprogress' would have the naieve believe, you cannot simply raise wages significantly and conduct business in the exact same manner. Workers would have to become more productive, there would be fewer workers/hours, menus would have to change or technology will cut down on the number of workers. Sorry tp,no easy fixes.

Quote from: "Obvious Li"Minimum wage should be a minimum $15/hour for any job...we just need to be willing to pay for the increase in cost in goods and services that will result......very minimum, i suggest.

Quote from: "Obvious Li"

Quote from: "Romero"I believe it's a different situation in the US. In Canada the lowest minimum wage is $9.95/hour but in the US it's only $7.25/hour. Minimum wage in the US shouldn't be lower than what it was in 1968(adjusted into today's dollars). The big fast food companies are raking in billions while their workers are forced to go on food stamps and other assistance. It costs American taxpayers billions every year. Corporate welfare.



I don't think it should be raised to $15/hour though. It should be raised to at least $10/hour for now.

get with with program homy....$15/hr = approximately $2500 per mo........almost pushes you into survival if you watch your pennies.......who can survive at $10 per hr. these days.....

Quote from: "Romero"
Of course they're trying to save on labour. They don't necessarily have to, they're just trying to squeeze out as much money as they can. Workers shouldn't have to suffer for greed. They're the ones helping companies make those high profits.



McDonald's in Canada and other countries pay at least $10/hour and still highly profit, so the argument that it can't be done in the States is completely bogus. Minimum wage in Washington state is $9.19/hour and it has worked out just fine.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Romero"I don't know how I could be making it up. The lowest minimum wage in Canada is $9.95 and McDonald's Canada is highly profitable. It's the same in many other countries.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Romero"I don't know how I could be making it up. The lowest minimum wage in Canada is $9.95 and McDonald's Canada is highly profitable. It's the same in many other countries.

European and Australian franchisees had to become more productive per worker, reduce the number of employees, sell more expensive menu items plus raise their prices to accommodate higher wage costs and so will American franchisees. Obongo doesn`t care if mom and pop businesses go broke, it`s not his life`s savings.

Quote from: "Romero"If we give the poor a living wage, they will suffer!



Yeah, right. You lost the argument before it even started. McDonald's pays its workers at least $10/hour in Canada and other countries and still highly profits.



Progressive ideology? The minimum wage was raised three times under George W. Bush, in 2007, 2008 and 2009. It's supposed to increase over the years.

Quote from: "Renee"Name calling is childish and wrong no matter what the reason.

Quote from: "Romero"If $10/hour isn't a living wage, what's $7.25? Why are we "leftard pukes" for wanting one minimum wage raise when it was okay to raise it three times under a Republican president?



Call me childish names all you want, but you're the one wanting to keep millions of Americans in poverty and hungry.

Quote from: "Renee"Name calling is childish and wrong no matter what the reason.

Quote from: "Shen Li"

Quote from: "Romero"If we give the poor a living wage, they will suffer!



Yeah, right. You lost the argument before it even started. McDonald's pays its workers at least $10/hour in Canada and other countries and still highly profits.



Progressive ideology? The minimum wage was raised three times under George W. Bush, in 2007, 2008 and 2009. It's supposed to increase over the years.

You keep repeating yourself after it has been clearly explained to you why wages are not the same at every McDonald's franchise all over the world.



One more time, [size=150]Canadian, European and Australian franchisees had to become more productive per worker, reduce the number of employees, sell more expensive menu items plus raise their prices to accommodate higher wage costs and so will American franchisees. [/size]

Quote from: "Renee"Furthermore you are still ignoring the fact that only 3 or 4% of people making minimum wage are primary breadwinners and most if not all receive government subsides to augment their income.