Author Topic: Target Workers Get a Predictable Rude Awakening After Company Implements Minimum Wage Increase  (Read 4323 times)

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Offline berdie

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My story is similar.  I had an excellent paying job for 34 years at Motorola, over 25 of them in R&D, and eventually I was obsoleted and offered a severance package.  Since I'd been expecting it for years and saved up a bunch of money, I decided to call it "retirement," even though it was not exactly on my own terms.  I did see it coming.


Yep...I don't know about you @Cyber Liberty but this has been one of the greatest blessings I could have received in my life. Fortunately, I'm a "what if" person and put back money for this joyous time. Oh, I'm not rich by any means. Just comfortable...and happy and stress free.

Online sneakypete

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Got a nephew who was laid off.  After a couple of months, I asked him when he was going to begin looking for another job.

His answer was when his unemployment ran out.

That is a lazy bum.

@IsailedawayfromFR

The saddest part is by that time he will be used to the unemployment checks rolling in,and will be totally surprised when they stop coming. Teens tend to live in "right now time".
Anyone who isn't paranoid in 2021 just isn't thinking clearly!

Online sneakypete

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You said, "there was no way I could hold a steady job".

You didn't choose to go on disability, it happened to you.   People today are choosing that it's better to just go on the dole than work for a living.  That ain't you.

@InHeavenThereIsNoBeer

Well,I WAS on disability and still am. At the time I was drawing 30 percent disability from the VA. Maybe YOU can live on that kind of money,but when your 70 dollar a month rent is a third of your monthly income,things are going to get tight while you wait for the next check to come in. I ate a lot of peanut butter on expired bread sandwiches back then. Paying 70 bucks a month rent including utilities for a furnished apartment in Denver in the mid-70's tells you I wasn't exactly living large before I lost my job for not showing up for work due to hospital appointments.

Having a job is ALWAYS better than not having a job. Even if your job sucks,you can be looking for a better one while continuing to work. Plus,it's easier to get a job if you can tell prospective employeers,"I have been working at XXX for a x years,but there are no raises and I need more money","I like working for xxx but I need more of a challenge",etc,etc,etc. Potential employers tend to give you the old fish eye if you tell them "I don't have a job now.",and want to know why.

Truth to tell,I LOVE working. True,I am probably not the biggest fan of office jobs you have never met,but I could usually manage to hold a office job long enough to find a real job. I was even taking dish washing jobs in restaurants when I was in my late 30's so I could get free meals and a paycheck until I could do better.

First time I ever got a job with paid vacation I took two weeks off to avoid losing the vacation time,and by the second week I was bored and looking in the help wanted ads for part time work.

Even now I have spent a BUNCH of money putting up a 1800 sq foot workshop with air,heat,full bath,and filling it with tools,antique cars,and car parts,just so I would have something to do when I feel good enough to do something. I feel better just knowing it is there so I can work when I am able to work. If I lose that,you might as well go ahead and shoot me and put me out of my misery.

Anyone who isn't paranoid in 2021 just isn't thinking clearly!

Offline IsailedawayfromFR

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@IsailedawayfromFR

The saddest part is by that time he will be used to the unemployment checks rolling in,and will be totally surprised when they stop coming. Teens tend to live in "right now time".
I wish he were a kid.

Is 42 now married with three kids.
No punishment, in my opinion, is too great, for the man who can build his greatness upon his country's ruin~  George Washington

Online sneakypete

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I wish he were a kid.

Is 42 now married with three kids.

@IsailedawayfromFR

That is the saddest damn thing I have been told in months. Just look at the message this sends his children. It really pisses me off.
Anyone who isn't paranoid in 2021 just isn't thinking clearly!

Offline Cyber Liberty

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I never took unemployment.  I guess I could have because I got "laid off," but I didn't feel right asking for it.

I met my Retirement goal of having no mortgage, and I walked with enough cash to buy a Castle in a smaller town.  Now I have a nice, distant view of the Casinos in Laughlin across the river.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
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Offline OfTheCross

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Working for peanuts didn't bother me when I was 19 years old. Unlike your friend when I wanted more money I knew I had to exert myself. Which I, and everyone else I knew, did as I got older.

Maybe people ought to stop expecting to be able to buy a home and raise kids on their salary as a cashier at the Dollar Store.

I don't know how old he is. Probably early-mid 20s. College graduate, smart, and physically limited. This guy shows up every day at 6:30 and goes home every day at 5:30. A dedicated employee. He's not lazy, he's disillusioned and disappointed.

He mentioned some remorse in having gone to school as opposed becoming a police officer. Now that he's physically limited, he cannot be an officer.

I don't blame him for thinking he'd be better off collecting Disability and working under the table.
If a well-regulated militia be the most natural defense of a free country, it ought certainly to be under the regulation and at the disposal of that body which is constituted the guardian of the national security.

Offline skeeter

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I don't know how old he is. Probably early-mid 20s. College graduate, smart, and physically limited. This guy shows up every day at 6:30 and goes home every day at 5:30. A dedicated employee. He's not lazy, he's disillusioned and disappointed.

He mentioned some remorse in having gone to school as opposed becoming a police officer. Now that he's physically limited, he cannot be an officer.

I don't blame him for thinking he'd be better off collecting Disability and working under the table.

It sounds as though your friend might need disability. My comments are directed at others who think they deserve a ‘living wage’ from their minimum skill, minimum effort job that they have no  interest in moving beyond though, with a little ambition and discomfort, they could.

Offline OfTheCross

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It sounds as though your friend might need disability. My comments are directed at others who think they deserve a ‘living wage’ from their minimum skill, minimum effort job that they have no  interest in moving beyond though, with a little ambition and discomfort, they could.

I support a living wage. I was of the mindset that the wage should be enough to support 1 adult. So, if you work, you can afford to pay for a roof, food, etc. Basic necessities. I am also of the opinion that it should be directly linked the to cost on living in the specific-market.

BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.
If a well-regulated militia be the most natural defense of a free country, it ought certainly to be under the regulation and at the disposal of that body which is constituted the guardian of the national security.

Offline skeeter

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I support a living wage. I was of the mindset that the wage should be enough to support 1 adult. So, if you work, you can afford to pay for a roof, food, etc. Basic necessities. I am also of the opinion that it should be directly linked the to cost on living in the specific-market.

BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.

I believe a wage should reflect the actual value to society of the work being performed. Don’t like your wage? Enhance your own self worth. Your way is a bit too stalinesque IMO.

Offline OfTheCross

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I believe a wage should reflect the actual value to society of the work being performed. Don’t like your wage? Enhance your own self worth. Your way is a bit too stalinesque IMO.

I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."
If a well-regulated militia be the most natural defense of a free country, it ought certainly to be under the regulation and at the disposal of that body which is constituted the guardian of the national security.

Online Wingnut

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BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.


It can be done today if you tighten your belt and live without unneeded luxury items.  But people today don't have the self control nor the will to do so. After all this the age of instant gratification.
I am just a Technicolor Dream Cat riding this kaleidoscope of life.

Offline skeeter

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I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

I certainly don’t. I’m more of an invisible hand of the market type.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2019, 10:26:16 pm by skeeter »

Offline Cyber Liberty

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I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

Old joke from the old Soviet days:  "We pretend to work, and they pretend to pay us."

Any mention of the Soviet "pay system" that does not recognize this expression is wildly optimistic, to be kind.  Here is your Pulitzer Prize, named after that reporter who said, He's seen the soviet system, and it works.

You are a fool if you believe the Soviet pay system is something to be admired and copied.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline goatprairie

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I support a living wage. I was of the mindset that the wage should be enough to support 1 adult. So, if you work, you can afford to pay for a roof, food, etc. Basic necessities. I am also of the opinion that it should be directly linked the to cost on living in the specific-market.

BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.
If you support a living wage, you are basically a socialist. Is that what you are?

Offline Cyber Liberty

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If you support a living wage, you are basically a socialist. Is that what you are?
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline DB

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I don't know how much that was union. I'm not a union employee.  I was talking to a long time co-worker not long ago. We both agreed we under valued ourselves and our work. The newer generations over values themselves. I don't know which opinion is best...but I had a good job for 45 years. Of course, they would have still booted me if the time came. I was pretty fortunate and left on my own terms.

The general rule I followed was produce more than what I was paid for. In doing so you make yourself more valuable to the company and get paid more. It is the way to advance upward.

Offline OfTheCross

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If you support a living wage, you are basically a socialist. Is that what you are?

What if we support a living wage and get rid of most government assistance?
If a well-regulated militia be the most natural defense of a free country, it ought certainly to be under the regulation and at the disposal of that body which is constituted the guardian of the national security.

Offline Cyber Liberty

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The general rule I followed was produce more than what I was paid for. In doing so you make yourself more valuable to the company and get paid more. It is the way to advance upward.

And for that, the gen-weenies cal us "saps."  Tough.  I cried all the way to my retirement Castle in BHC.

(Hey, @DB, how are you liking the desert?)
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline DB

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I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

But people today "can't live" without their cell phone, Internet, air conditioning, electronic toys, etc, etc... The families you speak of then would be considered dirt poor these days but they didn't "know better". We were one of them.

In 1956 gas and electricity were cheap. Many people didn't have a phone or had a party line. These things weren't loaded down with taxes and fees. Houses were basic and weren't burdened with a large number of minimum energy/safety/fire/structural requirements along with permits/fees and taxes. Every aspect of our lives have slowly been regulated and taxed "for our own good" until we are consumed by all the added weight and wonder what happened. And in spite of all that continue to pile more on.

Offline Cyber Liberty

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What if we support a living wage and get rid of most government assistance?

If that means "Government-set wages," then the argument is ridiculous.  All that does is shift the Welfare burden to employers by forcing them to pay more than what their unambitious employees are worth.  Meanwhile, the "government assistance" will continue to flow because the majority of voters accept it in some form, and will throw any politician that threatens the gravy train straight out of office, in favor of some socialist promising to keep the checks coming.

There are no shortages of sad sacks to trot out when the politicians need the tears to flow.  And there are plenty of socialists fools available to keep the shipwreck afloat somehow.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline InHeavenThereIsNoBeer

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The general rule I followed was produce more than what I was paid for. In doing so you make yourself more valuable to the company and get paid more. It is the way to advance upward.

I always tried to produce less than my cost to the company, and then have Uncle Sugar force the big evil corporations I worked for to pay me a "living wage".  Turns out companies don't go into business to lose money, and zero isn't much to live on.
My avatar shows the national debt in stacks of $100 bills.  If you look very closely under the crane you can see the Statue of Liberty.

Offline OfTheCross

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But people today "can't live" without their cell phone, Internet, air conditioning, electronic toys, etc, etc... The families you speak of then would be considered dirt poor these days but they didn't "know better". We were one of them.

In 1956 gas and electricity were cheap. Many people didn't have a phone or had a party line. These things weren't loaded down with taxes and fees. Houses were basic and weren't burdened with a large number of minimum energy/safety/fire/structural requirements along with permits/fees and taxes. Every aspect of our lives have slowly been regulated and taxed "for our own good" until we are consumed by all the added weight and wonder what happened. And in spite of all that continue to pile more on.

A great amout of households already live without internet:

https://connectednation.org/blog/2019/10/09/new-u-s-census-findings-number-of-households-without-internet-access/

Phone plans can be found for $30 a month. AC isn't guaranteed, even if you have it, and it breaks, you might have to rely on fans.

Gas and electricity are still relatively cheap in this country.
If a well-regulated militia be the most natural defense of a free country, it ought certainly to be under the regulation and at the disposal of that body which is constituted the guardian of the national security.

Offline Cyber Liberty

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I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

I never thought I'd see a day when somebody would come on TBR and speak of Stalin in such glowing terms.  Unless you mean to demonstrate how that quoted part was repeatedly violated by Stalin's band of merry thugs, you are in for an awakening.  Unless you don't.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline DB

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A great amout of households already live without internet:

https://connectednation.org/blog/2019/10/09/new-u-s-census-findings-number-of-households-without-internet-access/

Phone plans can be found for $30 a month. AC isn't guaranteed, even if you have it, and it breaks, you might have to rely on fans.

Gas and electricity are still relatively cheap in this country.

You contradict yourself. You are saying these things are cheap but people can't afford them because they aren't paid enough...