Minimum Wage in the Bay Area (week 7)

5/13/2014

The minimum wage debate in the United States has been a continued struggle for working class people. After reading Chapter 15 and after you watch the videos below answer the following prompts to begin your discussion on the necessity of minimum wage changes.

What were three major themes that you have learned from the reading and videos regarding the debate on minimum wage?
What are the conflicts between community and corporate interests regarding minimum wage? How, if at all, can they be resolved?
What do you believe are the consequences of having a low minimum wage vs. a higher rate like $15?
What connections, if any, did you find with the issue of minimum wage and your own experience of income inequality?

Requirements for BLOG POSTS

You must write 250 words each post (due Friday @ Midnight), Responses to another student 50 words each (due Monday @ midnight)
Students must post during the week the blog is assigned or it will not be graded.

59 Comments

Imani Sanders

5/13/2014 12:39:00 pm

Majority of the people on minimum wage are living in poverty, the reasoning for resistance against minimum wage is the theory of less available jobs, and although the companies are able to pay their workers their just do, they won't. The conflicts that are held between community and corporate interests in regards to minimum wage is, I believe, people that work for minimum wage wanting the ability to live with more so 'livable wage' than a barley making it wage. The conflict lies in the fact that these big corporations don't want to lose money. They may sympathize with their workers but sympathy doesn't pay bills. So in their inaction, the corporations, don't pledge any change or decide to their workers what they are valued at. The answer to the question of how the conflict can be solved is obviously to raise minimum wage. Yet most things are better said than done. The consequence of having a low minimum wage is poverty, and the working poor having to rely more so on social programs, which again falls on taxpayers, which leaves the corporations the option of escaping accountability. Whereas if we had a higher minimum wage the accusations of this argument is that there will be less jobs and more expensive prices (which I'm surprised that have a problem with). The connection I have with minimum wage is the feeling of looking at your check, while playing back in your head all of the hours you just completed, and feeling ripped off and undervalued. So, in short I totally agree with raising minimum wage.

Cynthia Kay

5/14/2014 06:11:12 pm

Oh I think they value and trust their employees tremendously but sympathy? No. They value their hard work at a menial salary. They value these employees who until recently did not complain about not receiving any benefits and only allowing them to work no more than 32 hrs a week so to not pay them overtime. They trust that the employees will stay because jobs are difficult to find if you are not educated, and have poor English skills. McDonalds should have a new ad campaign for hiring. It would be Ronald McDonald wearing a Statue of Liberty costume with the phrase, “Give me your tired, your poor,…send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door" (door should read ARCHES).

Travis Himebaugh

5/15/2014 03:31:13 pm

I don't believe for a second that the people at the top of the pyramid have the slightest sympathy for the those on the bottom, so to speak. As evidence, I submit the privatized benefits arrangement, which have a lasting reputation for loopholing their way out of ever actually parting with money. And, as I mentioned in my own post, the current minimum wage is nowhere near proportionate with the productivity of the American worker. Twenty dollars would be a fair wage, and yet corporations are complaining about climbing to fifteen. Corporations are not upset because their profits are in any way being unfairly cut- they are complaining because for once their power is being questioned.

(Point of clarification: I'm against the people who own corporations- I have nothing against the people who work for them on any level of hierarchy.)

Brenda Rangel

5/16/2014 04:43:40 pm

Issues likes these demonstrate the greed and selfishness of our society, especially in terms of corporations. They say they will lose money if they increase their minimum wage, but fail to realize that we work to contribute back in our daily consumption. We cannot simply work 40 hours to be left with $0 at the end of paying all the bills.

Eduardo Ruiz

5/16/2014 02:58:37 pm

I completely agree with your idea of corporations not wanting to pay their employees. In front of the camera they may say that they feel sorry for the low wage people, but in their head they are thinking is how hard can we make that person work for the lowest wage possible. It all comes down to greed and how these corporations want to control as much of the money and power as possible. Then they use the threat of layoffs to scare everyone and try to stop the fight for change.

Leon Fraser

5/19/2014 10:58:09 am

I agree with you people who are living in minimum wage are barley making. It is bad enough that they have to provide for their family and make ends meet but cannot because they are not getting paid enough to simply get by. It is true that people living on minimum wage are living on or below the poverty line but I do not believe that the workers show sympathy. I believe that people who are head of the company only want to get richer while they continue to pay people less knowing that they either have a poor education or living in poverty.

Cynthia Kay

5/14/2014 05:39:37 pm

It is an incredibly hot afternoon as I am preparing to write this essay. I think an iced coffee would really hit the spot. I drive to the local McDonalds, am greeted by a very kind Hispanic woman who is obviously frantically trying to put together orders for the plethora of vehicles in the drive through. I patiently wait and can’t help but feel guilty for my minor pleasure as I notice how hard she is working for the menial salary she is receiving; the working poor. I purchased my drink in my nice air-conditioned car and began my drive home. I hadn’t made it out of the parking lot when a fairly decent looking man approached me and asked kindly if I could spare buying two hamburgers, one for himself and one for his wife sitting under the shade of a large tree. Again, feeling quite guilty in my small sense of luxury, I bought each of them a small meal and left feeling a bit depressed. I arrive home, cool drink in hand, I seated my somewhat glutinous bottom into my office chair and began watching the videos assigned. My guilt now turns to disgust and I question how a nation of such wealth; the leader of the world, can allow such income inequality. Why the greed? As the videos, news, any course on economics and simple mathematics will tell you, in California, $8.00 an hour, is poverty (poverty as defined by the USDHHS in 2013). This is based on full time employment but most low paid employees aren’t given the opportunity to work 40 hours a week and they receive no benefits. Sure it is an adequate salary if it is your first job and you are a high school student living at home with your parents who support you, but how does a single parent with a child live on this?
Pros:
• Boost in earnings
• Little or no impact on employment
• Employees become less dependent on public assistance
• Puts money back into the economy as employees who earn more, spend more
• Decreases turnover and less money spent on training time

Cons:
• Pushes prices up
• Kills jobs, 5% in reduction of employment
• Pushes up fast food prices as this is what low income families consume
• Will push companies outside California

Not being one who just complains, here is a solution. Bring the federal minimum wage up to the $10.10/hr and California minimum to $15.00/hr. Why $15.00? Because the cost of living in California is much higher (per CBS Money Watch San Francisco is #4 and San Jose #5 in the nation for the highest cost of living). Also, all employees need strong Unions.
It was interesting to me when the narrator mentioned that none of the conservative groups who oppose raising the minimum wage would make themselves available for interview except for Walmart who claimed $15.00/hr was unrealistic. Per Fortune 500 (2013) listing the most profitable companies in the U.S., Walmart was #1 and McDonalds was #111.
News reports state that Congress is in a gridlock and the likelihood of seeing the minimum wage being raised is dismal.
I may not be the working poor but I struggle financially, yet I somehow managed to provide two homeless and hungry people a small meal, but companies such as Walmart, McDonalds, and the GOP can’t justify paying their own hard working people a living wage? My iced coffee doesn’t seem to taste that good now.

Imani Sanders

5/15/2014 02:46:12 am

I see your vision and agree. The greed of wealth and unwillingness to help the needy and poor from the corporations is horrible. I wish the people who were interviewing the antagonist of raising minimum wage had this information and demanded a better answer and their plans for what they will do about this issue. Although they would've, assuming, avoided the question altogether it would've made then deal with the poverty their own employees face. Yet what is "unrealistic" is probably how much they're being paid an hour, compared to their workers.

Leslie Werle

5/16/2014 02:11:03 am

I also made a comment in my post about minimum wage being the same everywhere to be a ridiculous endeavor. The cost of living in California, especially Silicon Valley, is so much higher than it is in most other places that expecting someone to live off of $8 or even $10 in St. Cloud, Minnesota and in San Jose is laughable. It's very frustrating to me, who has lived off of the dollar menu at McDonalds years ago, that paying people a living wage is so difficult. I don't believe that McDonalds and Walmart employees should be driving Lexus's but I do believe they have the right to afford basic necessities such as food and shelter.

Kaylie Otsuka

5/16/2014 04:20:19 am

Cynthia,
I really like the format you used to approach this discussion board. By clearly presenting the pro and con list before providing a solution, I think you give people the opportunity to make their own decision on what they believe is right regarding this issue; so, well done. I like that you emphasized the importance of the cycle of poverty and how these wage caps are increasing and promoting poverty nation wide. Overall, I think you did a great job and I agree with you completely.
Kaylie Otsuka

Zhi D. Li link

5/16/2014 02:52:22 pm

There is nothing wrong with private company personally. These minimum wage jobs are designed to teenage but not adults. The minimum wage adult workers need to ask themselves why they cannot find a decent job. To me, it sounds like they made some serious mistakes when they are growing. I think something is wrong with that generation. The person in the video is single mother. I just feel something is wrong with these people. Even having a higher wage, they are still have similar problems because the issue comes from these people. Am I right?

Dolly Perez

5/18/2014 06:25:31 pm

Cynthia,

You made some really good points about low income rates and how it affects the poor. When you talk about the lady working at Mc.Donalds, it is sad to see someone work so hard to get paid very little. But then again you have to see the type of job that is being spoken about in every situation. Fast Food jobs aren't he type of job that is being spoken about in every situation. Fast Food jobs aren't

Dolly Perez

5/18/2014 06:26:36 pm

You made some really good points about low-income rates and how it affects the poor. When you talk about the lady working at Mc.Donalds, it is sad to see someone work so hard to get paid very little. But then again you have to see the type of job that is being spoken about in every situation. Fast Food jobs aren't necessarily always looking to hire people who are going to work with the company for a long period of time. For me the way I see it, is that fast food jobs don’t hold much duties that require the same person to fulfill the job. Also some jobs are made so easy that anybody can do it. You have to understand that these jobs are made easy so that people can easily be replaced. Getting paid minimum wage is dreading but not every one can work and perform the necessary duties to fulfill the job so what would you do then, continue to pay someone who can’t meet the requirement? I think this all mostly goes back to the cost of living because if the cost of living wasn’t high then not many people would have a problem. Production continues to grow while the prices are also rising. Companies are finding ways to pay people on the other side of the world less money to push production out and sent to America. See companies are moving a lot of jobs out of the United States and moving elsewhere. Americans don’t want minimum wage if the cost to buy food is expensive, rent, gas, pretty much just about everything one needs to get by in this American lifestyle.

(sorry about the last post, it was an error)

Travis Himebaugh

5/15/2014 03:14:53 pm

I'm going to say what I always say when this comes up within my hearing. According to Elizabeth Warren (and I admit I can find no special qualifications of hers in economics off the top of my head, so sue me), if the minimum wage had risen with the rate of productivity in America, it would be about twenty-two dollars per hour right now. Let that sink in. No, this is not due to inflation, it is because workers have gotten more productive (more output). Right now minimum wage is around a third of that.

On to the actual assignment: I learned that on the current minimum wage many people are not able to live normal lives. They can't live in poor neighborhoods, they can't afford real food to maintain their health, and they can't risk getting sick because of privatized healthcare (where is Upton Sinclair when we need him?) I learned that most of the people who need these jobs are in the everyday jobs we depend on for everyday services. And I learned how devoted to making money corporations are.
Let's see now- the major argument against raising the minimum wage is that it will discourage employers from hiring. Think about this. Corporations make money. That is what they do. They would never hire people at all unless they knew for certain that they could make an overall profit out of each employee. But a living wage is too much for them to afford? And I am sure we must have heard that old line about how we need to head the big business owners, because they are the ones who supply the jobs. Let me see if I can put this delicately... No. Untrue. Total crap (pardon my French). CONSUMERS are job creators. Consumers have needs, business find ways to fill that need, and as long as that need persists and there is money to be made from it, the corporation keeps on finding ways to exploit it. If people stop wanting McDonald's, no amount of rich business owners would be able to employ new restaurant cashiers.

So in conclusion, corporations can just live with making a few millions less in profits, and fifteen dollars an hour is the absolute least we should offer to our civil servants.

Michael Plaza

5/19/2014 04:55:03 pm

Travis, you say that minimum wage should be around twenty dollars right now after you point out how Elizabeth Warren has no special economics qualifications. I think that what is being asked here is what you feel about how this affects people that we meet and know on a day to day basis. But you make some overall good points in your conclusion about how civil servants should be paid at least fifteen dollars per hour for their hard work, I concur.

Elizabeth Avalos

5/15/2014 03:37:26 pm

Growing up I often heard the word "no" when I asked for a new toy while at the store, or even a bag of chips from the local market. While I did not fully understand why my mother and father almost always said no as a two or three year old, I definitely understand why now. Being the youngest of four children, there were a lot of mouths to feed, feet to put shoes on, and bodies to kept clothed. As I got older my father picked up more jobs, sometimes working two or three jobs at time, and the word "no" appeared less frequently when we visited a store or the local market. It was not until I got older, however, that I was able to realize that the cost of living for a family of six who earned low wage salaries could not afford the luxury that was a new toy or a bag of chips. Although my siblings and I can now provide for ourselves and my family is doing significantly better financially, I certainly feel for the families who still find themselves struggling to get by. I feel for the families who do not have any alternative option other than to work a minimum wage job. Since families have to stretch $1,000 over the course of a month, their quality of lifestyle becomes an undesirable one. Corporations realize that many people have no other option than to settle for their minimum wage paying jobs, therefore they pay them the minimum amount they are allowed to pay their employees.

Jennifer Hernandez

5/15/2014 04:33:48 pm

I like how you brought up your personal experience to tie up with the subject. As a kid I was also in a family where we didn't really always have the privilege to buy many things and just what was needed. My mom would always be like the budget maker in my family and we would shop in second hand stores like thrift shops for clothes when we were young and even after I was a teen we learned to be savvy with what we buy. I was taught to save money for what is really needed and it is a tough thing to catch up on as well as to take in your own situation from such a young age. I agree also that I feel for people who have to bare with trying to sustain living with a minimum wage job because like you said it isn't easy. As well as when you stated in your last sentence, corporations do pay a certain amount because they think people have accepted that idea but I guess it has change to the point where the tables have turned and people finally are speaking up and hopefully things do change.

Leslie Werle

5/16/2014 02:17:02 am

I am the oldest of four children and had very similar experiences growing up. Six people is a lot to keep fed and clothed and happy. It took me years, more years than I am proud to admit, for me to realize how hard my parents struggled to provide for us all. My mom was home every day when we got home from school, she would work during school hours and at night sometimes to make sure we had the necessities and the privilege of not having to have a babysitter or a day care provider. Now, as a single mother, I understand a whole lot more how difficult it was for my parents to provide for us. We lived in a much lower cost of living area then but six people is still a lot to provide for on minimum wage even when not living in the Bay Area. I remind myself of this every day to stay motivated on my path to finish school, have time for my volunteering and provide for my son.

Jennifer Hernnadez

5/15/2014 04:23:14 pm

Looking at the videos, there were a few things they addressed regarding the minimum wage. They talked about how many who works on the payments of minimum wage are at the line of poverty and that about 20% have kids or families that need that source of income to survive in this society. They also talked about how the pay isn’t even paying what they actually work and they even top it off by saying that benefits or health care are not given majority of the time only about 13% receive the benefits. The only said reasoning for not raising up the minimum wage amount is because corporate interests such as those regarding money can damage business as well as the fact that it will decrease the amount of jobs offered. A solution they offered was that these private businesses should pay their workers instead of mounting up to subsidized tax payer dollars. However, as said by many, this should not even build up to be the main reasons since many corporations make billions and even millions to the point where they could give more money to minimum wage workers without a doubt but it won’t happen unless more people try to take a stand as someone said in the videos. In the videos they also talked about how they should not raise it by $15 but $12 since pushing it to high could lead to some damage as oppose to a “reasonable” $12, but the question as to whether that is enough for people who are barely trying to get by isn't really being taken into consideration. If $15 isn’t enough to some, how would they expect people to live off $12 especially if this debate has been going long enough and people are still trying to survive in this economy.

Michael Plaza

5/19/2014 04:59:02 pm

Jennifer, indeed those who are most in need are some of those who provide the services that normal everyday people utilize on a day to day basis. And these people are most deserving of a higher minimum wage since they are upstanding in the sense that they choose to make their money through hard work and by legitimate means. As you say, 15 dollars is barely enough for such people to sustain themselves and their families, if they support one. Such people are most deserving of higher pay rates.

Leslie Werle

5/16/2014 01:52:09 am

This idea of minimum wage vs a living wage is hard for people to understand who have never had to get by on our country's minimum wage. The fact that there is a national minimum wage is ridiculous. I have lived lots of places. When my son was born we were living in Minnesota and I was serving and bartending. The minimum wage for employees making tips at the time in Minnesota was $5.25 and even with the cost of living being much lower, our two bedroom apartment was $525 a month, it was no where near enough. Now can you imagine making that same amount and trying to live in California? You wouldn't be able to buy a blanket to cover you while you were sleeping in the park at $5.25 an hour here. I don't understand how a minimum wage can be uniform from one extreme to the other looking at cost of living in these two different places. We have been looking for a two bedroom apartment in San Jose recently, to move out of my parents house, and even the low income apartments that have one year wait lists are $1200. Even in San Jose a $10 minimum wage is not livable. People deserve to be able to work 40 hours a week and not live below the poverty line, especially in an area that is so expensive to live in.

Listening to the video while it was talking about Walmart and how a minimum wage hike could be covered by items being about $1 more (or less I don't remember the exact number) in their stores made me realize how ridiculous one of the riches corporations in the country is. I would gladly pay $1 more on things to know that the people helping me aren't hungry because they couldn't afford food to bring for lunch that day and the corporation itself could easily absorb that extra cost for paying a livable wage and have it barely make a dent in the higher ups pockets.

I'm no economist but it seems to me that the hit companies would take for raising the pay for their employees would come back to them when their employees could afford to buy more things. We live in a consumer driven market and most people are always going to buy more things when they have more money.

So in conclusion I understand the issues and the insecurity of companies not knowing what will happen but every person deserves to live above the poverty line, these "minimum wage" jobs were not meant to sustain families, they were meant for kids to have gas money in high school. Do I think that McDonald's workers should make $30 an hour, no, but I do believe they should be able to afford to turn their heat on in the winter and to have healthy food on the table for their children.

Armando Arzate

5/16/2014 04:29:40 am

I would completely agree with you that the people working at a minimum wage are definitely living in severe poverty. It saddens me to think that our country cannot provide aid by giving us better paying jobs that will actually pay our productivity dollar per dollar. I believe the concept of minimum wage often pushes companies to let go of those who are paid well seeking new employees they may start off at $8/hr or $10/hr and that’s why we see older people with children working at these minimum wage locations. We need to understand that someone with obligations will produce whatever is needed to produce at the same rate someone without will because of the lack of jobs and the fact that the pay is almost the same everywhere you go.

Lars Velken

5/19/2014 03:08:10 pm

I think that it is our experience that makes us as Californians perceive the federal minimum wage as ludicrous, however while it is a tiny amount of money as you demonstrated with the Minnesota example, it was born from a time where children were used for labor and demonstrates a federal need to give a bottom unacceptable line. Many teenagers go to high school want extra spending money and don't necessarily need a living wage, but the federal or state minimum values even the lowest variety of work at a certain value. With that said I believe the value of human work in legal documents needs a dramatic revision, because on a global scale the minimum wage obviously doesn't represent a living standard, but neither does it represent a value of human life or labor when it comes to any sort of spending. In short, the flawed minimum wage system represents a fatal flaw in the capitalist system to all parties because it inhibits spending.

Kaylie Otsuka

5/16/2014 04:17:04 am

Three major themes that I had noticed in both the videos and the book, is the recurring issue of the correlation between money and power, the control of the government over the weak or financially insecure and the promotion and support of poverty. In the first video, they had explained that a higher minimum wage across the country has both its ups and downs. For instance, Obama supports the raise of minimum wage as it will boost earnings and help citizens struggle less to provide for their families. On the other hand, some believe the raise will cause the depletion of job availability and cause those struggling families to struggle more. Statistics reveal that raising the minimum wage pay to fifteen dollars an hour would result in a 5% reduction in employment and may push up fast food prices by 20%. If wages up, prices go up and cost of workers, training them and insurance would decrease franchise fees. This process may shut out fast food demand completely. The argument regarding the raise to twelve dollars an hour to me sounded a lot better because this mediation between the existing rate and the demanded rate would only change things such as consumer price raise to only thirteen more dollars a year which is not very noticeable. I believe this is the best option in providing a standard that both the citizens and the government may meet half way in. Minimum wage limits the people without education and makes it hard for people to support their families. If money equals power, by limited the wage cap we are essentially limiting low income people to stay within their class level and never have the opportunity to do better for themselves and their families. Personally, I have endured the struggles of working with a minimum wage job. As a full-time student, it becomes nearly impossible to save enough money while paying bills to then pay for college without outside help. I strongly believe it is another way that the government may keep the poor poorer and the rich to become richer.

Armando Arzate

5/16/2014 04:19:33 am

After watching both videos regarding the minimum wage in the United States one cannot help but to feel hopeless. I have always been aware that both State and Federal minimum wages are very low however, I question why? We live in one of the most influential countries of the world that often provides aid for other countries however; it seems we do not provide aid for those in poverty within the United States. It is evident that once again the influence of corporations plays a large role in the United States government. It benefits corporations that the minimum wage remains low so that they may sell their products at a cheaper price and so that they can make more profit. The government on the other hand goes along with the corporations because the people do not only become dependent of the government but the government along with the people fears the “what can happen?” It is great to see people protesting and pushing for a motion for the minimum wage to rise but to what extent does it really benefit the American people. I am a firm believer that if the minimum wage rises so will gas, food, etc. and jobs will decreased as corporations seek to replace that profit hole. I believe that a $15/hr rate will only back fire on the American people however; I do believe a $12/hr rate is more realistic for the beginning. It seems to me that the only way this situation can better itself would be for the government to step in and actually take action through laws and policies. I understand this is taking place in California and many other states however, if the corporations were obligated to carry out all production in the United States along with being obligated to pay employees vs. taxpayers there would be definitely an impact in the poverty line in the United States. We need to go back and reflect on what other presidents did during the Great Depression so that we may dig ourselves out of the hole we are in rather than to dig ourselves deeper.

Frank Arredondo

5/16/2014 10:13:36 am

Through the reading and the clips you begin to see that the goal of raising the minimum wage is not an easy one to reach. We first see how in the matter of the New Deal created in the 1930’s as a response to the great depression is still used by cooperation’s to take care of those who make minimum wage. We as well see that with the earnings of those working on minimum wage is nearly impossible for a person to live day-to-day life. We see in the second video clip how Nancy Salgado a McDonalds employ does not even have enough money at the end of the month to put even a dollar in a savings account. Lastly, though it is important to see how unions can play an important role in helping to insure that employ get treated with respect and dignity. So often in the media they use the debates between a company and a union and tend show the union is a negative way. Yet even though some unions may have or use excessive power, if it wasn’t for the unions companies could get away with whatever they wanted and treat employees more like property than people.

However, at this time cooperation’s’ say a raise in the minimum wage would actually case more to lose their jobs and so to never get one. They say it would cause them to lose more money if the pay employees more, but is that what only matters is that they have 20 million dollars a year rather than 15. The only possible way for it I see a change is a change in policy. No one company is going to give into giving their employees higher wages in less they are actually forced to unfortunately. If this doesn’t change people still will have to scrap by living paycheck to paycheck. Parents will still need to explain to their child like Nancy does of why they can’t have curtain things. If it does raise Nancy and so many others will have a little bit more security knowing they have a little extra to help live. Nancy Salgado did say it best we saying she doesn’t want to be rich just comfortable. Which is a fact people who make minimum wage at 15 dollars will not become loaded and steal from these owners, but rather be comfortable.

I remember growing up in Jr. High and my mother became a single mother of three. My dad at the time decided he was not going to help out with child support or anything, and was not going to help my mom out for sure. So my mother working minimum wage was required to do whatever she could to take care of us. Yet that was not enough and led to us being evicted and luckily my grandfather was willing to have us live with him. With that my mom was able to go and get some more college credit for a raise and is not living on minimum wage but rather about 17 dollars an hour. Not everyone though is as lucky to have the help we did, and so the government that is supposed to be for the people needs to step up and help. People need it and really a good majority deserve it.

Augustus Castro

5/16/2014 10:24:25 am

The major themes expressed through out the videos were the realistic stretch that minimum wage allows, what a more livable pay wage should be for workers of corporate chains and nationally, and the pros and cons of raising the minimum wage higher and possibly up to 15$/hr in certain areas such as Berkeley. Around 8.25 is the minimum wage in in California and working 40 hour per week only brings in a little under 575$ dollars if taxes are kind. Unfortunately utilities, rent, phone and transportation rack in 800, add in food and other living expenses it starts to become costly living on your own. This is totaled without children so the idea of them in the picture is a stressful yet common lifestyle to make ends meet and save in our country. If the wages were to be increased to even 12$/hr people working food service and corporate jobs trying to go to school or provide for their families seems more doable with the ability to save more yet allocate more funds to increase living conditions and better their own lifestyle.15$/hr is ideal especially for workers with families, but it does make sense for the employers to at least raise wages in most sectors in order for their employees to stop such a reliance of public assistance programs. I do believe such an increase of wages would cause loss of jobs so a more reasonable number would be 12-13$ hourly in order for workers of all classes to help stimulate the economy, but also improving living conditions for themselves and their families.

CYNTHIA YANG

5/16/2014 10:31:01 am

I really like how you said "This is totaled without children so the idea of them in the picture is a stressful yet common lifestyle to make ends meet and save in our country" because it's true. I agree that a raise in minimum wage would improve living conditions for families because no parent should have to worry that much to effect their daily lives. The worrisome affects their health. Even though it does cause the loss of jobs, it shouldn't because how's that making the world any better?

Elizabeth Avalos

5/18/2014 08:48:34 am

I, too, like how you specified that your calculations had not included children, which are certainly a highly common factor in the lives of many families living on minimum wage, because it's a sad and cruel reality. The lifestyle that those families are forced to live under really make you appreciate the value of a dollar.

CYNTHIA YANG

5/16/2014 10:26:18 am

I learned that California has the highest minimum wage in the country: ten dollars. Why should California be the only state that is raising the minimum wage to ten dollars? Not even, minimum wage should be fifteen dollars instead of ten dollars. I work in the food industry and my minimum wage is currently eight dollars and sixty-one cents. I agree that the minimum wage should be raised higher because workers work too hard to earn so little money. I serve the customers food, I prep food for my shift and the next shift, I take out trash, I bust tables, I clean the dishes, I cook, and most of the times, I don’t get much help. I’m not the only one who is struggling at work. A lot is expected out of us with little pay and we don’t get the appreciation we deserve or the pay. The two stories in both of these videos showed that the minimum wage of eight dollars and twenty-five cents isn't enough. The single mother of two children barely makes it through the month with rent and no benefits. Her children even know that she doesn't have enough money to spend to spare. Families struggle because of minimum wage being too low. There isn't enough money to spend and some families struggle about their savings. One thing I found really irritating was if minimum wage being raised, prices in everything will be raised which is a problem for the lower income group of people. How do we expect to help raise the poor to the top with raising taxes and prices higher if the poor is already struggling now? One of the video quotes that minimum wage evidence shows results in price can increase by 20 percent and poor people can't afford. And it’s true, the struggle is real: nothings cheap and everything adds up. I agree with Obama’s quote. “No one who works full time should have to live in poverty.” Parents work full time to provide for their children and struggling that hard shouldn’t be the feeling you wake up to every morning. Your whole life shouldn’t be worrying about how you’re going to prove food the next day, it should be about having fun and enjoying yourselves.

Christian Ramirez

5/16/2014 11:22:43 am

Majority of this nation's minimum wage workers are living in poverty, the majority!! That is something that should definitely raise eyebrows for this nation that seems to really take into consideration that we are consumers spending money. But how can we spend if we are poor? makes no sense. This country seems to only care about keeping it's wealthy rich and powerful. You have stories like Nancy's which is so true and is a mirror of the majority of workers in America. Living pay check to pay check with no savings, poor living conditions, no benefits and most of all they have children to provide for. It's very disappointing to hear of stories like this, but they're so common if you really think about it. I made 8 dollars an hour for years and barely had enough money to pay for my phone bills and provide some type of rent to my parents. Now that I'm making 10 it is still very hard. Companies argue that 5% of jobs will be lost, prices will go up and businesses will go out of business. However, workers claim that they will obviously have more money so they can use which will go back into the economy thus boosting it. Also they will become less dependent on public assistant as they will be more financially independent. Honestly, from personal experience having low wages keeps prices down and keeps the companies( aka the wealthy) rich, or as they say healthy with lots of revenue. Having a 15 minimum wage yes will result in the loss of some jobs but will ultimately boost this economy and help the majority out of poverty, hopefully! Down side is companies will lose a few million out of the mega something millions it already has, big whoop.

Christopher

5/16/2014 12:11:10 pm

The three major themes I identified were: 1) Differentiating between a minimum wage and livable wage, 2) corporate interests vs. worker rights, and 3) the leverage of power through the use of fear that the job market will necessarily suffer if the minimum wage goes up. The fundamental argument at the heart of the minimum wage debate seems to be one which puts either the workers interests first, or those of the CEOs, profiteers, and shareholders of companies and corporations. On the one hand, we have the average worker at a fast-food resteraunt whom is only guaranteed a maximum of $7.25 an hour, who makes so little that they can hardly pay rent, let alone covering the basics that many of us take for granted (healthy food, health care, education, transportation, etc.). In the discussion on the KQED newsroom video, they refer to these workers as the “working poor,” an apt title. For the past 30 years, the prices of goods and services have continued to increase but the minimum wage has remained (mostly) unchanged, at the very least it does not reflect the kind of change in the increased cost of living. Corporations have seen profits explode in the past 30 years, as well. On the one hand, as mentioned in both videos, the result of a low minimum wage is that folks have a very low quality of life, with barely enough to make do, let alone accumulating the kind of money one needs for social mobility (takes money to earn money). A low minimum wage ensures an exploited poor working class who are forced to stay in jobs such as these just to make ends meet. A low minimum wage ensures a cheap workforce for businesses and corporations. I like the argument that one of the commentators on the KQED video made about how this comes down to where the responsibility of caring for the needs of the workers should come from. Should it have to come from the state, forced to provide welfare for those who don’t make enough at their job so that the businesses that they work for can swallow the profit, or should businesses and corporations be responsible for their workers? I believe the latter is true. Having spent many years in the restraunt business I’ve been told many times by employers that if I didn’t like the money I was making, that I could go somewhere else to work. With the economy in the state that it was in, this was simply not an option, and employers know this, so they exploit it. I believe it is the government’s responsibility to protect the right’s of it’s citizens to a decent wage, one which we can live off of. Currently, the federal minimum wage does not reflect this.

Leslie Ann Ong

5/16/2014 12:12:55 pm

America has been known to be the land of opportunity, and although that may have been true, our country's citizens are struggling to make ends meet with $7.25 an hour. Three major conflicts regarding the rise of minimum wage is increased job competition, the consumer's wants for cheaper products versus the workers' need for financially stable lifestyles, and whether the responsibility for paying minimum wage employees lies within the businesses itself or taxpayers. An increase in wages would cost businesses more money, thus decreasing the amount of jobs offered. On the contrary, the amount businesses pay their employees is not enough to live a healthy lifestyle. With $8.00 per hour, for 40 hours a week, a single mother earning minimum wage barely has enough earnings to put a healthy meal on the table for her daughter, let alone have enough money to feed herself anything but Top Ramen and a "meal" from the McDonald's dollar menu. Individuals are thus forced to seek public assistant programs, because they view healthcare, good food, (ect.) as a luxury, rather than a necessity. The need for public assistant programs calls for money from the government and taxpayers unless wages were increased in order for these individuals to live comfortably. Unfortunately, there are also some people living off minimum wage do not have aid from public assistant programs. For example, only 13% of minimum wage workers have healthcare benefits. The next debate concerning minimum-wage is whether businesses should pay their own employees or taxpayers continue to subsidize business costs. In fact, it only makes sense that businesses should capable of standing on their own two feet and pay their own employees, especially since the wages are so low. Many individuals are working full-time only to find themselves living in poverty, as worker productivity far outweighs the wages they earn. We see some progress being made for minimum-wage increase in some states, so I expect the legal minimum wage for Americans to increase to $15 an hour at some point in time. Rather, instead of living in uncertainty, we should help more Americans become aware of how their fellow citizens are living and support the movement for an increase in minimum-wages.

augustus castro

5/19/2014 04:47:41 pm

I do agree that the national average of minimum wage at around $7.50 should be higher. Even at $8.00 hourly you dont bring in more than 1200 monthly . Add in rent, utilities, food, children possibly, transportation and other living costs this may not be enough to cover everything and still save some for later. i do feel that the current state of corporations will not allow the minimum wage to rise above 12.00 dollars in certain parts of the country. with this in addition only 13% of the country in the service sector receives healthcare, that being said the remaining percentage must pay for each visit out of pocket or have existing health care costs to be covered. Indeed corporations could stand to lose a small line of profit in order ensure better a quality of life for employees.

Duc Doan

5/16/2014 12:44:57 pm

The three major themes that I got from the video and book, is the fact that people living on minim wage in this country has no power at all. The government tends to control the people in poverty. Minimum wage is a very debatable issue in United States, we are suppose to the be most powerful and richest country but yet the rate of poverty is astounding. The corporations play a huge role in minimum wage because they work with the government. The government then plays a role because they are the one who set the minimum wage. Corporations are only looking out for their best interest because they want to make as much profit as possible. So the wages they set are pretty low and people living on minimum wage want the wages to go up. If we set a high minimum wage then it will drive out the mom and pop stores. But if we set it too low then people cannot survive living with those low wages. It really is a no win situation. I think $15 dollars is decent because then it makes for okay living. Its not the best or is it bad like $5 dollars. But if we raised it to $15 dollars, it would kill jobs. In a sense, it is a job killer. With poverty we are facing, we want to have more jobs available to people. When I first started working, I was getting paid $9 an hour, I thought that was pretty low and I couldn’t even buy stuff with that kind of money. Especially in college making that kind of money, it was hard. Then I got a better job that paid $11 an hour and still it wasn’t enough. I was in college renting an apartment that was $1100. So I was struggling from paycheck to paycheck. Minimum wages should be raised even at the expenses of corporations.

Frank Arredondo

5/19/2014 04:42:26 pm

Your right it really does come across, as the issue of minimum wage is a no win situation for those on the low end of the totem poll. Yet, the hope is those mom and pop stores have enough to keep going as minimum wage increases. It’s hard to say for sure that the raise in minimum wage will affect the mom and pop stores, because really at one time they had plenty to be a start up. Which I would say their situation is a little better than those living paycheck to pay check. Therefore, it is a risk that needs to be taken for to help those living paycheck to paycheck to live some what more comfortably.

Lars velken

5/16/2014 01:53:18 pm

I gathered from the videos and from the discussion in class are that businesses always draw a metaphorical line in the sand regarding benefits for employees because every additional increase in pay or benefits results in executives either taking a pay cut to compensate, or strategically devise a way to compensate for the decreased gross revenue through reduction of quality throughout the system. On the other hand, because of this the only tools available to employees for this issue are their power in numbers to take on the political system that legislate state and federal pay standards. The primary arguments on the side of businesses and employees respectively are that an increase will exacerbate inflation (ultimately due to employers trying to externalize costs rather than fairly treat their workers) versus a living wage being necessary for the working class.
Corporate interest represent a serious problem in the American political and economic system because the primary ambition is to make money for stockholders, and they equally wield enough financial power to implicate the integrity of politicians representation of the public interest. The community interest is inhibited by corporate action because they often don't have higher stake in the company than guaranteed work, and often rely on paychecks to live by simple means. I don't believe the conflicting ideas between corporate and community interests can be resolved, because their primary goals are too different, however the ambition of the work force can easily outweigh that or corporate interests by welding their power in numbers as was historically done in worker and civil rights movements. I do believe that one consequence of higher minimum wage could instigate higher product price and inflation, but the only evidence to support this is circumstantial, and would identify only with cheap employers. I don't believe that on a large scale we would see noticeable inflation however.
I have never had to work for minimum wage, in every job interview starting with my first position, I was privileged to be granted the salary I argued I was worth, my concern now is that I'm nearly graduated from college, and still only work for a dollar less than the proposed increase for minimum wage and that which fast food workers are paid for, and relative to that job quality I believe I am worth significantly more. It is because of this that I don't know if I would want a wage increase, because I'm concerned that my relative pay would not increase.

Alvin Luna

5/16/2014 03:09:02 pm

Corporations greed is a huge problem, like you said and the fact that all they care about is money is what makes this ordeal very difficult. You are right where you said the community's and corporations goals are very different and that is why the issue between them seems unsolvable. However, I liked how you put that if the community is persistent enough or if the corporations change their mind, things can take a different turn.

Zhi D. Li link

5/16/2014 02:33:08 pm

1. What were three major themes that you have learned from the reading and videos regarding the debate on minimum wage?
1) In the past, teenagers are the majority workers who earn a minimum wage. Nowadays, adults are the majority workers who earn a minimum wage. It brings us to the issue minimum wage vs. living wage.
2) Who are paying for these differences between minimum wage and expected wage? It that the private employers or the taxpayers (as well as the States or Federal governments).
3) The tax payers are not have to subsidize all these private business, but people should force the private businesses to pay for their own workers.
2. What are the conflicts between community and corporate interests regarding minimum wage? How, if at all, can they be resolved?
The person who is going to pay for the extra money is the conflict. Conflict one: private company wants more profits for their shareholders. Conflict two: the private company’s workers want more wages. Conflict 03: the private company’s customer want to cheaper product but better products. Somebody has to give up their own interests. Rights now, workers are complaining of their minimum wage. Who will be the problem solver? Private company? Private company’s customer (as well as tax payers)? Or the State/Federal government?
Of course. They can and able to solve the issue. It matter of who is willing to solve the issue.
3. What do you believe are the consequences of having a low minimum wage vs. a higher rate like $15?
There is always a trade-off. The low minimum wage might be helpful for maintaining a better community, for instance, people are busy on working and have not time to take care of polices and news. Also, low-wage workers do not get a chance to involve breaking law activities.
Higher wage might give worker more leisure time. People are having more time to communicate. Then, it might be cause an uncertain for the government agency, such as crimes.
4. What connections, if any, did you find with the issue of minimum wage and your own experience of income inequality?
The connection is the demand and supply. If there is no one wants to get the minimum wage job, and then definitely the company have to increase the wage. If people cannot afford a minimum stand living, they should move to somewhere they can afford themselves.

Karishma Khatri

5/16/2014 02:46:45 pm

I actually learned a lot through the videos and the reading. I never actually realized the economic side of raising the minimum wage. As the first video stated, raising the minimum wage would increase the price of fast food. I think this is something that we could afford. Are we going to put a persons livelihood under the price of fries? The cost of living is at an all-time high and the wages are not matching it. The corporate interests seem to shine through. That was a common theme in the videos and reading. The ones with the most influence trump the common man. Another thing is that minimum wages jobs where first meant only for teens and women, Other themes and arguments that I saw was that there would be less jobs available, and that living in poverty is a “common” story. Has poverty really become that common? Just because it is common, doesn’t mean it is right. The corporate interests seem to state that raising the minimum wage will cause this big economic turmoil. I my opinion they are exaggerating a bit. Their employees are barely making ends meet. They also state that they offer promotions, but they do not take into fact the employee’s life. Like in the video, he or she could be a single parent or taking care of a sick relative. They may not have the means to commit to a more demanding job. That does not mean that they should be paid any less. Is one persons time and labor really worth $7.25? The corporations and community really need to work together on this. The corporations need to realize that their own employees are working hard for them and deserve more. I think a start to this problem would be, to increase the minimum wage first to $12.00, then to $15.

farkhanda

5/18/2014 12:19:32 am

Hi Karishma, I concur with your arguments on this issue because those with majority of the money (corporations) are not paying attention to those who are suffering. In the beginning restaurants offered jobs for teenagers and the fact adults work in these environment tell us what there receiving isn't enough at all. Time has changed from the past and everything is much more expensive so the living wage isn't fulfilling ones needs. I also believe the community and companies need to find a solution to meet both of their needs.

Eduardo Ruiz

5/16/2014 02:48:55 pm

Some of the major themes seen are primarily a higher wage for low-level workers. The reason is because the minimum wage is insufficient to be able to live a decent lifestyle while not having to eat Raman soup every day. The thought is that if the minimum wage is increased then people will have more money to reinvest into the economy.
The second major theme is if you increase minimum wage to above $12 an hour it would remove the burden from the taxpayers in the form of government assistance programs, like food stamps, and put it on the backs of the employer. I think that this reason is the main reason this should wages should increase because the larger companies are always lobbying for less government and reducing taxes and in this instance it would help in both matters and hold the company more accountable.
The third theme is that small business owners may be hurt by this increase in wages. In this instance the employer may have to lay off employees because they can’t afford to keep them. What I believe should happen is while wages increase the government should give small companies tax breaks and give them incentives to higher more people.

Karishma Khatri

5/19/2014 04:37:09 pm

I agree with your points. I really concurred with your statement that the government should give small companies tax breaks and give them incentives to hire more people. In this way, the small businesses would not be getting hurt. Also, I find that people who put the businesses first over the livelihood of a fellow human being are appalling. Are we really putting a price on what peoples time is worth?

Alvin Luna

5/16/2014 02:53:32 pm

Themes that I have noticed throughout this minimum wage ordeal are that parents are starting to work these minimum wage jobs, the government, financial instability and a fight for change in something that is believed in. Communities and corporations are going at it over the fact that minimum wage should be raised. Originally, minimum wage jobs were worked by teenagers or people looking to make a bit of extra money but nowadays they are being used as a full source of income. The corporations believe that despite that, it would be a bad business move and could potentially decrease the amount of jobs available and create more problems for their business. I am not really sure if there is a way to fix this issue. If they were to increase it a bit, that would still not be enough for people to comfortably support a family. That is the most realistic option I feel would be possible, to increase the minimum wage a bit, but not entirely. That won't help the workers but it could be better than nothing being done at all. I believe that the consequences of having a low minimum wage job as opposed to the fifteen dollar payment everyone wants, is the pay scale obviously. Alot of these minimum wage workers want to make enough to support a family and they are not getting that right now. That is the reason they are striking and attempting to fight the system. If they were to get an increase, then that would be beneficial and would help them out in their everyday lives and the amount of work they have done would be accounted for. Honestly, for me, I haven't found a connection between my own personal experiences and the issue of minimum wage. If I were to get a minimum wage job it would be for my won personal benefit. I would be happy with the amount I'm getting because it would be better than nothing at all. I'm not living paycheck to paycheck, I would just want extra money to buy things and saving up for a car. I do understand completely however and sympathize with what people are going through on an everyday basis however. Some people don't have a higher level of education and this is all they could afford to do in order to support their families. It is unfair but that is why they are protesting, they want their voices to be heard and are wanting change.Hopefully, things will get better and everyone will get what they deserve as far as being paid what they're worth for the labor they have put in just to make end's meet.

Leon Fraser

5/16/2014 03:24:00 pm

What I learned from the video and reading is in the bay, people who are on or below the poverty line are only making a minimum wage of 12 dollars or less in working. While there are the one percent or in other words wealthy individuals find it easier to find jobs and make a good amount of money to get by. People who are only making minimum wage and can barley get by wants their minimum wage to increase to 15 dollars an hour. It is bad enough that people living in poverty find it hard to find jobs due to companies hiring either immigrants who would settle for minimum wage or middle to upper class individuals taking the job due to having either a higher education and more connections to opportunities. Lower class individuals do not have the opportunity to get good jobs so they have to settle with working for minimum wage. People who are working minimum wage would not be able to get by especially those who have families. With a higher minimum wage families who are lower class would have a better chance of providing for their family and making enough to live a somewhat stable life. Some companies do not want minimum wage individual to make 15 dollars an hour because they claim it would be less jobs and prices would have to go up including some owners losing their business. Either way it is already hard enough for people to find jobs and CEO’s of big companies just want to have people working minimum wage so big companies get richer while people living on or below the poverty line are struggling to get by with less pay and less vacation time. Although my sister is middle class and works as a tax collector, in this economy she is struggling just to get by although some people state middle class individuals are living good reality is people on the poverty line is getting more poor while middle class individual is the new poverty line while upper class or the one percent is just getting richer.

Michael Plaza

5/16/2014 03:49:42 pm

Minimum wage is an issue that is affecting everybody, and if it does not affect one directly it surely effects somebody that you know. As we had discussed in class, this minimum wage is surely not a living wage, which is what should be the "minimum." I think that job positions that pay minimum wage is, in a way, a form of exploitation on the worker. Anybody that has the motivation and initiative to earn an honest paycheck should certainly be getting paid enough so that they can feel they are being properly compensated for the work that they put in. People not making enough money to seek any higher forms of employment, experience, or even education creates even further economic inequality and structural barriers. These barriers are what create things such as anomie and communities that are in turmoil. Something that came to mind when we were discussing how people would lose their jobs if minimum wage was raised, and that is the replacement of a portion of the workforce with machines. It may seem like it is a bit of a stretch, but it is something in the making. Even at the local Lucky supermarket near my house there are 4 automated self-serve "cashiers" with one person at a control panel, and one person at a normal register during most hours of the day. Those self checkout machines took away 4 opportunities for people in my local community. When I myself worked in retail I thought that maybe I should have gotten a little bit more per hour that what I was making, I was hard working and dedicated, juggling between sports, school, and work at the same time. But that is just the story of a busy student, for somebody who is working for minimum wage must support themselves entirely, or even more so if they must support a family, I can only imagine how difficult and stressful that must be.

Leslie Ann Ong

5/19/2014 04:35:20 pm

Hi Michael,
I agree with your viewpoint. It reminded me of the video in class displaying a graph of the productivity of minimum wage workers versus their salary. Case in point, productivity far outweighed the pay, and I don't appreciate seeing people working their bones for a poor lifestyle. Whether it be student, parent, or any individual, corporations should support their workers, rather than go against them.

farkhanda

5/16/2014 04:12:22 pm

Watching and reading the material for this weeks assignments has made me realize that change is much needed economically as majority of Americans are living in conditions that is shameful and unbelievable. In the video we watched in class, I discovered not only is our country exploiting other nations for resources, but mostly harming its own people because of greed and unjust reasons. Right now, I think one way we should fix our system is increase spending by raising the minimum wage because its barely helping out citizens and our economy. Policies in our government should change, as the only people benefiting are the few. Obama calls increasing the minimum wage because it will help the economy but no one is willing to listen. The way people struggle in order to make ends meet is depressing I hope the minimum wage will change in a way that resolves this dispute as soon as possible. However, till then our responsibility is like the single mother in the video to not give up and get what we deserve.

Karishma Khatri

5/19/2014 04:46:22 pm

I agree with your points. The minimum wage debate is quite a complex topic. It is said that there are many pros and cons. I found it interesting that you said that even though Obama called for action, no one is willing to listen. I disagree a bit with you here. I guess I am a bit of an optimist and I believe people will change and help catalyze it. The US government has a lot of “red tape”. Change is slow in our system. I still believe we will get where we want the minimum wage to be. It will take a lot of time, persuasion, and persistence.

Brenda Rangel

5/16/2014 04:41:04 pm

When the issue of raising minimum wage or not, we have to understand that minimum wage has many living in poverty; they are living pay to pay, hoping that its enough to pay the bills. The argument frequently used to deter support for the increase of minimum wage utilize the idea that we would not have enough jobs, we will see a rise in prices of goods, and that some of these jobs do not deserve $15 dollars an hour (for example). As mentioned in class, its easier to have a higher minimum way depending our your connection; I have been fortunate to work in jobs that start me off at $12 to $15 because I was recommended. Now, this does not necessarily apply to everyone, we have individuals scraping by on $9 hourly wage. Corporations are the ones trying to hold onto every cent they possibly can, yet require the labor of individuals but feel its not able to pay them $15; its too much for jobs that require “minimal” skills. Communities understand that it take more than a minimum wage, we need a livable wage depending on what it takes to live comfortably in their communities. This battle goes back to the beginning of labor law, the establishment of a minimum wage to benefit the worker. Corporations are protecting their interest and not of their workers; their logic states we have plenty of willing workers to receive $9 an hour. A solution to this issue come with the rise of the minimum wage, yet this has shown to take time, fight, and consistency in seeing this changed. If we do not agree to raise the wage we are creating a society of dependency on the government, this trickles down to were every individual feels the negative affect. On the other hand we develop a lack of holding corporation accountable for their hand in the issue. As a working person, this affects me directly because I hold myself worth at a much higher price; the need to pay the bills I am working to barely pay them and have enough to save. Being able to have a liveable wage may supply me with the opportunity to live comfortably while saving for future needs.

Bree Hart

5/19/2014 05:02:16 pm

I definitely agree with corporations protecting their interest and not their workers. However I don't agree with "some of these jobs do not deserve $15 dollars." Yes, some jobs have minimal skills, but everyone deserves the same pay. Just because you finished school or have a connection, does not mean you are smarter than the worker who had to drop out of school to raise their child. It's just not fair. I know a bunch of smart people, who made stupid decisions and can only get minimum wage jobs because they need money to get back into school. What if they have a disability, and are told "you only get $8, because you have minimum skills," that person can't help that they have a disability.

Bree Hart

5/16/2014 04:42:37 pm

The three major themes I saw were the differences between minimum wage and livable wage, the poverty line, and the majority of minimum wage workers are adults. I think I got to learn more opinions while listening in class and reading through the post on our db. I found it interesting that everyone really does have the same view on the minimum wage and livable wage. I think as a company you want to make more money for everyone, but you also want to keep the pay for people low so that you make more money. They keep the wages low for workers, so that they get more money for them own selves. I believe we can fix this issue, but it depends on companies. The companies are more money hungry and would rather stay a little richer than pay their employees a little more money. In the video the woman anchor brings up arguments against raising the minimum wage. She says that one professor said, "the minimum wage increase would have a 5% reduction in employment" and another professor says, "the wage increase would result in higher fast food prices." I think boosting the minimum wage allows more money in people's pockets and they will be able to buy more goods. We would be increasing our buying with a higher wage. You could possibly see a reduction in employment cause companies might not be able to keep workers due to higher pay, but we won't know until we give it a try. I personally worked on minimum wage for 2 years, and I had no problem because I live at home and was still in high school, so I didn't have to pay for much. Now that I'm a college student, I find myself struggling on minimum wage, but I also have a nanny job that pays $15 and definitely helps with paying for school and my car. I think if I had a kid and had a minimum wage job, I would struggle every month.

Joann Truong

5/16/2014 04:53:08 pm

Minimum wage workers are a very huge topic in today’s society. It’s been and will always be an issue many low income families will face due to the fact it is a huge factor on how families function financially. After reading and watching the videos three major themes that I have identified concerning minimum wage are poverty, economy boost, and the well being of low income families. No doubt that raising the minimum wage up for fifteen dollars an hour will give a boost on family earnings but it will also affect prices of market merchandise. Giving raises to employees (if it were to be $15 an hour) nationwide will affect how much profit a business will make in a negative way. To counter balance this effect is to up the price of merchandise being sold to match wages of employees to ensure business owners are still making a profit. The consequences of having a low minimum wage can be commonly seen in today’s society. Some families are just getting by having a job that pays eight dollars an hour. Different families have different situations on how they cope living day to day with a low minimum wage. By raising the minimum wage it will not only have an effect on how much people make but it will create a market where merchandise become overpriced. It’s like going back to square one. For myself, I live with my parents and I don’t know the struggles low income families face of having to pay rent and keeping a roof over their heads but I do have a low paying job and its already a struggle having to pay for car insurance, phone bill, and other necessities.

Nico Passalacqua

5/19/2014 05:09:21 am

I am in a similar situation to you. I live with my parents and I don't have an experience similar to those of low income families but paying for necessities is a difficult task. Thinking about establishing a career and fully supporting yourself is an intimidating thought, but we are already a few steps ahead of the game by receiving an education to get a degree.

Tikerea Tate

5/17/2014 04:06:45 am

Some of the major themes that I see in the raising the minimum wage is people who are living off of their minimum wage checks are struggling because it is almost not enough money for them to live because they are living pay check to pay check. Conflicts between community and corporate is that corporate believes that if minimum wage goes up the price of stuff will also go up so it almost defeats the purpose. Corporate worries about public pressure and consumer pressure. Another issues is deciding where the money will come from the business or from tax payers. Many people believe that $15 a hour is an unrealistic price and will decrease jobs and put some people out of business. The only consequence that I believe will happen with raising the minimum wage is that people will higher the cost of living and we will end up right back where we are now, which is not making any type of change. I currently work a minimum wage job, part time, and I am in school, living on my own, on campus. No one is helping me out so I basically take care of myself with the money I get from my minimum wage job. If I had the chance to move off campus I would but I cannot afford it because I do not get paid enough. The video stated that back in the day these minimum wage jobs were for teenagers and women who did not have to work, well obviously our economy has changed so something else needs to also change. It is also not okay that production has been rising but minimum wage has been at a constant stop. I believe that some type of change needs to happen soon.

Theodore Libby

5/17/2014 10:20:02 am

There is a lot of talk around the idea of raising the minimum wage here in the bay area. One major theme about these talks is how it will affect the overall economy and ways of life. One side says it will deistically change the living conditions of people living off of eight dollars an hour while other says it will kill the job market. I really liked the points made in the first video about how a raising can actually increase the economic growth for companies. I’m no economist but, personally I can’t see how a minimum wage raise will cost the market jobs. McDonalds will still need ‘X’ number of people to run the facility and the added money will not bankrupt the company so I fail to see the connection for such a large company or companies. Therefore more money to the workers means more spending which is ultimately a good thing for businesses. One point I really thought was interesting in the first video was the idea that this wage increase simply redistributes money the government spends on people (for public assistance programs) and puts the responsibility on the companies as they will be paying more and that money will probably go toward similar things. I personally think this minimum wage rise can only benefit people like me. I have very little money, being in college, and the rise would only mean something other than Ramen noodles for dinner and gas for my commute. I feel the only problem this rise might have is that truly small business owners might find it hard to keep up employment if they aren’t making enough profit to pay workers close to double what they were before.

Dolly Perez

5/18/2014 09:11:31 pm

Personally from my experience of working minimum wage jobs; I’ve realized that the low pay rate caused me to live from check to check. It’s a struggle to make your $200 dollar check expand for 2 weeks until next paycheck. Trying to make two hundred dollars stretch can be hard because it’s a constant worry of not having enough money for food, rent and gas. I have experience what it is to struggle and to eat unhealthy. Moving away from home doesn’t make it any easier. While trying to focus on school, I always have to think about next months rent, gas, food and paying my credit cards, for now. I am thankful for my family that also helps me with as much as they can. When I worked for Armark at the Cal State East Bay dinning commons, I was getting paid eight dollars. Some much money would be deducted from my check even when it was a two hundred dollar check. The pay was not worth wasting my time working for a company who gave twelve cents as a raise. The company expected so much from me but didn’t value me at all. The low pay rate in fast food industries don’t pay employees enough to at least live finically stable.

Yes, I do believe that the minimum wage should go up, but requesting 15 dollars is not realistic. A 15-dollar minimum wage is not realistic because this will cause food prices to rise and lower employment. Some people don’t realize that if income rates increase that high in the food industry this affects the prices of variety of items that will rise also. The way I see it is when it comes to working for food industries; much can’t be expected from large franchise companies like this because fast food jobs aren’t hard to perform. Anybody can easily be replaced. If minimum wage were to rise to fifteen dollars an hour this would cause low employment because the employment cost will also rise such as hiring new people, training and employee insurance for companies. Companies will have a lower profit that can cause then to close down. But low paying jobs like this often take advantage of workers who are working hard; by over working them and performing more duties that were not included in the job description. Ron Unz from the first video mentioned that if minimum wage was twelve dollars an hour then taxpayers would save money while business would be entitled to pay their employees rather than receiving ‘corporate welfare’. I agree with him because many people who have low paying jobs depend on public assistance that help them to get by. If companies paid their workers rather than taxpayers there wouldn’t be a need for public assistances. There probably wouldn’t be much poverty also. Income inequality becomes a problem when people work 40 plus hours and still are struggling and living from check to check, while large corporations don’t want to lose money and pay employees more money. The wealthiest countries but yet people are still struggling and live in poverty. It is sad because there is a huge gap between income and productivity. Where are all the jobs going?

Nico Passalacqua

5/19/2014 05:07:02 am

1. Substantial lose of employment, minimal loss of jobs with $12
2. Minimum wage cannot support a family effectively
3. Public service assistance programs don’t meet the needs of the lower class

Business is trying to privatize its benefits and socialize the costs, shift the burden onto the backs of the taxpayers. Businesses would have to pay their own workers instead of taxpayers to give them earned income tax credits, food stamps, and house subsidies, forcing businesses to stand on their own two feet instead of receiving corporate welfare.

The quality of jobs is what is the controversial issue here. Raising the minimum wage has been up for discussion for many years. Businesses don’t want to pay their own workers and want to continue to have government subsidies to assist them. It is a question of who gets these extras dollars. Growth of the economy is in low wage sectors, decline in middle class jobs in the country. Something needs to be done to raise the bottom and get more consumer demand back into the economy.

The minimum wage is a difficult subject to debate on. I do believe that the minimum wage should be sufficient enough to support a family while having some extra money leftover after costs are paid for. I think a 15-dollar minimum wage is the correct amount. There are a lot of low wage job in the community that are suited for individuals who didn’t get the chance to get a full education and other various reasons. Fast food restaurant jobs, like the one discussed in the video above, don’t require a high level of education or specific set of skills to be successful, but still should receive a sufficient minimum wage for human dignity purposes.

Lin Chen

3/18/2015 02:29:48 pm

After watching these two videos, I know that people who are living in poverty are almost earning the minimum wage; thus, they fight for the income that they worth. Increasing the minimum wage can help them. It’s become increasingly clear that the minimum wage is far from a living wage toady. People who are earning the minimum wage are suffering every day. People who agree increasing the minimum wage to 15 dollar per hour believe that it will not influence on employment, and employees become less dependent on public assistance. However, people who disagree with raising the minimum wage to 15 dollar per hour states that it will decrease the job opportunity.When the minimum wage increasing, the price of the product will increase too. The example shows that raising the minimum wage pay to 15 dollar per hour will result in a 5 present reduces in employment and may increase fast food prices by 20 present. It will hurt the lower income family who always eating fast food. Nowadays, we know that the minimum wage in Oakland is around 12 dollar per hour. I believe that businesses will increase the price of production, because businesses want more money back into their pocket. And also, the price will increase because people want to keep the balance of economy.

Minimum Wage in the Bay Area (week 7)

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Minimum Wage in the Bay Area (week 7)

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