I cannot speak to your individual case or where you live or respective industry. But “wages are low“ is incredibly reductionist. They’re up ~9.8% over 2 years.
It’s also important to remember that the entire world is hurting as we are emerging from a near recession/massive economic disruption due to Covid. The US has actually had a better story than many of its peers.
That being said I would never argue we have a healthy economy. I just think your particular characterization is flawed. Income inequality is still skyrocketing as it has been for about 20 years. Arguably 50. But “skyrocketing” wouldn’t apply entirely to 1980-2010
I did too… almost 20 years ago with multiple roommates. My friend is making $12 and he had to move back in with his parents. This is in a very low cost of living state.
This seems like an unnecessary debate, because it’s the wrong metric for “fair” pay.
I think the better metric is something like average employee pay ratio to C-suite pay, or something calculated compared to the stock market value, like market capitalization.
Because the biggest problem is that absolute and year-to-year value created by increased productivity is going to the bosses and owners at an unfairly disproportionate rate.
The only upside in this economy is that it’s so bad, and there’s so little leadership for workers at the federal level, that it’s forced unions to become stronger by necessity.
A small percent of a poverty wage is objectively worth criticism, if we’re putting it nicely. If we want to talk in percentages, you’d need a 400% increase on the minimum wage in Mississippi to get to a living wage.
Sorry but I’m criticizing your initial reply to the fact that wage increases are statistically high. Yes, 70 cents raise is a lot for a grocery worker. And it’s especially important, as OP said, when compared to the rest of the world US is rising faster.
The “2/3 of states” reply, while factual, was misleading as well as tangential to the original point you were replying to.
Idealism has an important place, but not when it results in pure cynicism
He’ll keep using those of us who actually worked minimum wage jobs as a cudgel to fight on the internet because of how it ~ feels ~. You can count on it.
He also doesn’t know what the federal minimum wage is apparently and thinks “more than double” is somehow $14. Strong math skills on that one.
And you will keep being a pedant about it and just ignore that those extra pennies, just like the 5.1% referenced earlier in the thread, don’t add up to anything when you’re not being paid a living wage to begin with.
What I don’t understand is why you’re angrier with me than you are at Democrats and Republicans.
More than double is still woefully inadequate. A study from over a decade ago showed that people need to make an average of $75,000 a year to get by in America, it’s more now.
“Wages and salaries increased 5.1 percent for the 12-month period ending in June 2024 and increased 4.7 percent a year ago. Benefit costs increased 4.8 percent for the 12-month period ending in June 2024.The prior year’s increase was 5.2 percent.”
I cannot speak to your individual case or where you live or respective industry. But “wages are low“ is incredibly reductionist. They’re up ~9.8% over 2 years.
It’s also important to remember that the entire world is hurting as we are emerging from a near recession/massive economic disruption due to Covid. The US has actually had a better story than many of its peers.
That being said I would never argue we have a healthy economy. I just think your particular characterization is flawed. Income inequality is still skyrocketing as it has been for about 20 years. Arguably 50. But “skyrocketing” wouldn’t apply entirely to 1980-2010
In 2/3 of the US states it’s still legal to pay someone $7 an hour.
5.1% of $7 an hour is 35 cents.
Don’t spend it all in one place, I guess.
$7.25. It’s not easy to live on.
Easy? Probably not enough! So many people have 2nd jobs just to make ends meet!
FTFY
Yeah I only made it work living with a friend of mine.
I did too… almost 20 years ago with multiple roommates. My friend is making $12 and he had to move back in with his parents. This is in a very low cost of living state.
Less than 2% of the population is making minimum wage. Median income is more than double minimum wage. Even in rural areas
I agree it’s not enough, should be raised and all that, but it’s not the reality (because that number is so ridiculous)
shrugs
5.1% of $14 is 70 cents an hour. $28 bucks a week.
Don’t spend it all in one place.
This economy is objectively atrocious for working people. I’m glad we can connect on the fact that it is most definitely not enough.
This seems like an unnecessary debate, because it’s the wrong metric for “fair” pay.
I think the better metric is something like average employee pay ratio to C-suite pay, or something calculated compared to the stock market value, like market capitalization.
Because the biggest problem is that absolute and year-to-year value created by increased productivity is going to the bosses and owners at an unfairly disproportionate rate.
Agreed.
The only upside in this economy is that it’s so bad, and there’s so little leadership for workers at the federal level, that it’s forced unions to become stronger by necessity.
$14.50
Shrugs? Well fuck data I guess
On wages, exactly.
A small percent of a poverty wage is objectively worth criticism, if we’re putting it nicely. If we want to talk in percentages, you’d need a 400% increase on the minimum wage in Mississippi to get to a living wage.
That’s why I’m criticizing this reply.
Sorry but I’m criticizing your initial reply to the fact that wage increases are statistically high. Yes, 70 cents raise is a lot for a grocery worker. And it’s especially important, as OP said, when compared to the rest of the world US is rising faster.
The “2/3 of states” reply, while factual, was misleading as well as tangential to the original point you were replying to.
Idealism has an important place, but not when it results in pure cynicism
It’s only a lot for a grocery worker if cost-of-living is similarly low. It is not.
That wasn’t my opinion. It’s statistically a higher percent raise than average.
You get that a lot on Lemmy in regards to these topics.
They really don’t like it when you compare them to conservatives denying covid.
Anecdotal evidence is trash except when it’s their anecdotes. Then it’s second to none.
He’ll keep using those of us who actually worked minimum wage jobs as a cudgel to fight on the internet because of how it ~ feels ~. You can count on it.
He also doesn’t know what the federal minimum wage is apparently and thinks “more than double” is somehow $14. Strong math skills on that one.
And you will keep being a pedant about it and just ignore that those extra pennies, just like the 5.1% referenced earlier in the thread, don’t add up to anything when you’re not being paid a living wage to begin with.
What I don’t understand is why you’re angrier with me than you are at Democrats and Republicans.
I’m not angry, I’m having a perfectly nice Saturday morning
More than double is still woefully inadequate. A study from over a decade ago showed that people need to make an average of $75,000 a year to get by in America, it’s more now.