Seattle passed a $15 minimum wage law in 2014. Here’s how it’s turned out so far

[alebrewer]

It's interesting that a lot of folks understand there is only so many $ in an economy, and that, by raising the amount of $ that folks are REQUIRED to pay naturally leads to fewer hours or fewer workers, a lot of folks fail to consider the unintended consequences of such actions - namely that the 'net' effect of the increase in minimum wage is negative due to the 'now' higher cost of goods purchased by that subset of the market. Of course, this effect is mitigaged by a very strong economy (such as Seattle has now). In NY, where the economy isn't as strong, folks are leaving en masse.

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2019/12/31/new-york-leads-nation-population-decline-again/2777353001/

 

[djd09]

Joe Biden: "We should unionize McDonald's"

Joe Biden is the latest Democratic presidential candidate to target McDonald'sin a bid to signal his concern for low-wage workers.


"We should unionize McDonald's," the former vice president told a gathering of McDonald's workers in Los Angeles on Thursday organized by Fight for $15, a union-backed group that pushes for a higher minimum wage. "I promise you, if I'm your next president, you'll never have had a better friend in the White House for working people and for unions than Joe Biden."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-says-mcdonalds-workers-should-unionize/

That is why Joe is the Man.

 

[ramrcdk]

THREAD
Humm a thought regarding the Testing of By-products where they say it will only take 45 minutes to complete a $50 product BUT where it takes 4 hours to CYA regarding the $50 product.

Never mind: WE are "independent", I forget that . (jest & banter)

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

One possibility for the reduction in hours by workers after an increase in the minimum wage could be traced to the fact that with the increased wage they can cover their "nut" with fewer hours and then save additional money by cutting back on childcare expenses. Many single parents move about in the minimum wage world.

 

[alebrewer]

One possibility for the reduction in hours by workers after an increase in the minimum wage could be traced to the fact that with the increased wage they can cover their "nut" with fewer hours and then save additional money by cutting back on childcare expenses. Many single parents move about in the minimum wage world.

In fact, I'd say that is probably at least partially responsible for the Seattle experience - whether it's more time to stay at home with kids, more time to smoke pot, or whatever, I don't disagree that is at least part of the reason for the reduction in hours worked. More especially since Seattle is such a strong market.

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

In fact, I'd say that is probably at least partially responsible for the Seattle experience - whether it's more time to stay at home with kids, more time to smoke pot, or whatever, I don't disagree that is at least part of the reason for the reduction in hours worked. More especially since Seattle is such a strong market.

Why?

 

[alebrewer]

Why?

Because some folks like smoking pot... if that's what you're asking?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

One of the CRs working for me was formerly asst. HR person in a poultry processing plant. He said they paid minimum wages to some people because they didn't mind working but were getting benefits, in this case from the Cherokee Nation. Some worked only 3 days per week by choice. When given a raise by a change in minimum wages, many of those went to 2 days to keep from losing tribal benefits. The hike in minimum wages for folks like this becomes a choice. And by cutting back on work, undoubtedly they are doing so to preserve benefits. It is kind of a catch 22 situation to them. And some in these rural areas will work cash jobs. Cut wood, mow lawns, haul trash, farm work. They are not lazy, and you can say they are gaming the system, but they are maximizing their income.

 

[Meandering]

One possibility for the reduction in hours by workers after an increase in the minimum wage could be traced to the fact that with the increased wage they can cover their "nut" with fewer hours and then save additional money by cutting back on childcare expenses. Many single parents move about in the minimum wage world.

Holy cow, I agree with Pete,

and while child care may be a large expense for some, more people are impacted by the subsidized health "care" insurance. Once the gross income breaks a certain amount, they lose the subsidized insurance. Buying it on the private market, calculated against a higher tax bracket, leads to less take home pay, than lower wages with more hours.

posted the same time as T, above. we're on the same thought process.

.

 

[Carnivore]

One possibility for the reduction in hours by workers after an increase in the minimum wage could be traced to the fact that with the increased wage they can cover their "nut" with fewer hours and then save additional money by cutting back on childcare expenses. Many single parents move about in the minimum wage world.

I can get on board with that....I know a lady that had that problem and she solved it by getting her neighbor to work at the same place but different shifts and they watched each others kids. It was important for them to do that because the place they worked sat had a health care plan for full time employees. Full time a this place was anything over 34 hours.