Seattle minimum wage increase

[Jason]

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022396603_minwagepoliticsxml.html

 

 

That's quite a dramatic jump in pay.  I expect a lot more self checkouts now.

[Spirit]

Is this another sign that Chuck is a trader?

[mtangelsfan]

Is this another sign that Chuck is a trader?

 

Stocks?

[Chuck]

Is this another sign that Chuck is a trader?

 

Yeah, I left California for Seattle, so naturally.

[Jason]

Look, Chuck prefers rain over sunshine. End of story.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Angels N Skins

[Brandon]

Many businesses have survived all of the current taxes and regulations that they are drowning in. Another crippling regulation ought to finally finish off those greedy capitalists.

Not without drastic change, pay cuts, and lay offs.

Good businesses/owners will always find a way to survive, it's the employees and middle class that get screwed with regulation, taxes, and general government initiatives.

[arch stanton]

That's a bit one-sided, isn't it? I think we could all agree that neither side has any interest in actually helping the middle class. The objective of both business and government is to suck the middle class dry and leave just enough to keep them desperate for every scrap they are willing to toss their way.

[mtangelsfan]

I can't speak for the goal of government but the objective for business is pretty damn clear.  Make a profit.  Doesn't matter who it's from.

[Jason]

I can't speak for the goal of government but the objective for business is pretty damn clear.  Make a profit.  Doesn't matter who it's from.

Whatever it is it probably isn't in our best interests.

[Schildog]

Good point.  It reminds me when the government decided to "help" the middle class by forcing businesses to pay employees time and a half after 40 hours.  As a result, the full-time work schedule went from over 50 to 40.

 

Then the government decided they would help the middle class by requiring employers to provide them with expensive healthcare for employees that work over 30 hours.  Now the new full-time is 29 hours.

 

50+ to 40 to 29.  Way to help the people.  This country/economy/world would be so much better off if the government stopped "helping people".

 

because the majority of people would want to work 50+ hours at their jobs.

[mtangelsfan]

and get paid for it?  Perhaps they would.

 

Regardless, I believe what Seattle will see is medium and smaller businesses leave the city limits and establish themsleves in the burbs instead.

[Adam]

I got two clients last time they raised minimum wage. I imagine I'll get another soon

[TobiasFunke]

because the majority of people would want to work 50+ hours at their jobs.

Right? What planet(see: gated community) do people like vladdy live in?

[Adam]

It depends on the job, I suppose. If you're a button pusher making a salary, that is one thing. If your compensation is in any way impacted by productivity or profitability, you'll be more inclined to put some more hours in. 

 

I wish we were all independent contractors. 

[mtangelsfan]

I have plenty of employees who would love to make more money.

[Schildog]

i would love to make more money. but my work life balance is more important than working more hours so the man can build an extra wing on his house.

[Adam]

i would love to make more money. but my work life balance is more important than working more hours so the man can build an extra wing on his house.

 

I definitely agree with this. Time is more valuable than money to me as well. 

[mtangelsfan]

i would love to make more money. but my work life balance is more important than working more hours so the man can build an extra wing on his house.

You think 10 hours in a week is going to tip that balance? 

 

Also, it doesn't have to be sheer greed you know.  What if they want to be able to give more to charity?  What if they want to save for retirement and be able to retire one or two years earlier? 

[Schildog]

i'd be exponentially more miserable at my job if i was working 10 hour days.

[arch stanton]

Here in the middle east I see workers who work 70+ hour weeks as a norm or work splits based around the prayer schedule that sees them start at 9 AM and finish at midnight with one off day per week. They send all their money home to families they see for a month or so every 2 years. This is what happens when business owners are allowed to set the standards with no recourse for the imported workers who have zero allies in their home country or their host.

[Lhalo]

Here in the middle east I see workers who work 70+ hour weeks as a norm or work splits based around the prayer schedule that sees them start at 9 AM and finish at midnight with one off day per week. They send all their money home to families they see for a month or so every 2 years. This is what happens when business owners are allowed to set the standards with no recourse for the imported workers who have zero allies in their home country or their host.

 

Like Mexicans in California. Got it.

[arch stanton]

Like Mexicans in California. Got it.

Exactly. It's the very near future of all unskilled labor in the US.

[Count Orlok]

Maybe some day they'll actually find a link between higher minimum wages and unemployment.

[Jason]

Maybe some day they'll actually find a link between higher minimum wages and unemployment.

That large of a jump in salary would be a lot for small businesses to absorb.

[arch stanton]

That large of a jump in salary would be a lot for small businesses to absorb.

Is the salary the problem or is it all the other expenses?