Can't Survive on $7.25

[Adding Note on Augsut 2, 2013:  Over at Think Progress there's a good article further demonstrating the intention of Republicans to shrink government until it becomes invisible.  Now GOP senators have introduced a bill prohibiting any new law that would help workers.  You might want to check it out:  http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/08/02/2404301/36-senators-introduce-bill-prohibiting-virtually-any-new-federal-law-helping-workers/]

                                                                       * * * * * * *

  You know what more and more school teachers and office managers are saying these days?  "Would you like fries with that?"  Yes, many out-of-work Americans of all ages and walks of life have taken the only jobs they could find—in the fast food industry.  That the workers behind the drive-thru windows are not  all "kids," is a myth-buster, mostly for Republican lawmakers.   Maybe they need to convince themselves that's the case in order to attempt freezing or cutting minimum wage—even as they fight to lower taxes on the wealthiest people in the Country.   Soulless creatures,  those who would advocate for either of those positions.   They believe the current  hourly wage, $7.25, is adequate for the "kids" or "students."  No, it's not adequate for anyone, even those who aren't trying to support a family on that pittance—by working two jobs.  

 

On July 29 fast food workers executed a one-day strike for higher wages, an end to abusive labor practices and the right to organize in a union.  In cities around the country—like Detroit, Chicago, New York —strikers and demonstrators supporting them were chanting, "We can't survive on $7.25."  Of course they can't! 

 

(Image from Fire Mitch McConnell 2014/Facebook)

 

  Think about it:  The CEO's of these chains are likely making that much per second, while they continue to reduce payrolls.  They do that by requiring remaining workers to cover two or three jobs for the same low wage, as they labor under increasingly stressful conditions.  And it's not just the fast food industry engaging in this practice of reducing the work force and leaving those who remain too"job scared"to complain.   So job-scared they dare not balk at the superhuman tasks they must complete by the end of their shift.   

 

I know someone who has an excellent reputation in his chosen profession.  This is someone earning a decent salary with benefits.  He had worked for the same company for 20 years before it was absorbed by a large corporation several years ago.  He suffered as his co-worker friends were let go, one by one, for no reason other than it meant more money for the shareholders.  This torture continued for a year or more.  Ultimately he remained and was given the job his boss had; this "promotion" gave him no joy.  This man has a family and still likes the work he does. He has been, and continues to be, a tremendous asset to the corporation.   But the work environment is no longer the same.   Now, instead of working 8 hours, there are many days he's working 12 hours.  He's literally doing the work of 3 or 4 people.  And it's taking a toll.  The worst effects of stress aren't obvious in the short term.  They usually don't manifest in disease right away.  But it's been hard on the worker and family life has suffered from the git-go. 

 

So, I'm more than a little jaded about most of corporate America.  Sick of the greed.  The lack of caring about the employees who help make the business successful.  Instead of being appreciated, they're simply used until they're all used up.   Or until they begin to make "too much" money, in which case they're let go and someone new is hired later for less money.  Apparently that's part of the formula for today's corporate "success"—with record-breaking profits. 

 

If you call me a Socialist today,  I'm likely to write you a thank-you note.  That is, after I'm done praising the workers who walked out on their thankless jobs for one day.   They're right:  They can't survive on $7.25.  I'm glad our President is in sync and speaking up for workers.