So What Do You Think Is A Fair And Decent Wage?...

[Papageorgio]

To Zeke. . . . .

I am not one of the Republicans who came down on you. $8/hr is a 'fair and decent' wage if that is the amount it is worth to the employer to have construction trash and debris picked up and put into a dumpster.

$5/hr is a 'fair and decent' wage if that is the the amount that it is worth to the employer to have construction trash and debris picked up and put into a dumpster.

$20/hr is a 'fair and decent' wage if that is the amount that it is worth to the employer to have construction trash and debris picked up and put into a dumpster.

$100/hr or more is a 'fair and decent' wage if the construction trash and debris is of the type that requires particular expertise and handling and that is what the employer has to pay to get the work done.

Putting a 'fair and decent' dollar amount on labor, apart from what that labor is worth to the employer, is simply a mythical number that bears no resemblance to reality.

My issue, is paying someone under the table is circumventing a law. It is wrong that one person lies and cheats, and pays under a table, while the honest business man who has government looking over his shoulder struggles to stay in business.

 

[MizMolly]

I think $10 an hour is probably the minimum wage anyone can live on, although it would still be difficult in a one-income family. Keep in mind that if fast food restaurants pay higher wages, it gets passed on to the consumers. More people will stop eating at those establishments, which seem to charge too much for their food already.

It's not about what someone could live off of. minimum wage WAS NOT CREATED to maintain a lifestyle If a person wants more money they'll do something to get that better paying job.

I agree. The lower income jobs are for those with limited skills. It should be an incentive to improve yourself to be able to make a decent living.

 

[paulitician]

Well, most posters didn't feel comfortable offering up numbers. So based on the few numbers that were presented in this thread, it looks like $12 an hour is a number that could be seen as a fair and decent starting point for Americans. Thanks all for your participation in this thread.

 

[Spiderman]

Well, most posters didn't feel comfortable with offering up numbers. So based on the few numbers that were presented in this thread, it looks like $12 an hour is a number that could be seen as a fair and decent starting point for Americans. Thanks all for your participation in this thread.

Picking a number out of thin air?

Works as good as any other way I guess.

 

[BlackSand]

Well, most posters didn't feel comfortable with offering up numbers. So based on the few numbers that were presented in this thread, it looks like $12 an hour is a number that could be seen as a fair and decent starting point for Americans. Thanks all for your participation in this thread.

I pity the fool that is willing to think $12 an hour is an acceptable salary for a career worth building their life upon.

.

 

[originalthought]

What a stupid OP. You cannot debate this, because then you accept the premise that their is "fairness". Who decides what is "fair"?

I would not accept this premise, thus there is no answer to this question.

 

[Foxfyre]

To Zeke. . . . .

I am not one of the Republicans who came down on you. $8/hr is a 'fair and decent' wage if that is the amount it is worth to the employer to have construction trash and debris picked up and put into a dumpster.

$5/hr is a 'fair and decent' wage if that is the the amount that it is worth to the employer to have construction trash and debris picked up and put into a dumpster.

$20/hr is a 'fair and decent' wage if that is the amount that it is worth to the employer to have construction trash and debris picked up and put into a dumpster.

$100/hr or more is a 'fair and decent' wage if the construction trash and debris is of the type that requires particular expertise and handling and that is what the employer has to pay to get the work done.

Putting a 'fair and decent' dollar amount on labor, apart from what that labor is worth to the employer, is simply a mythical number that bears no resemblance to reality.

My issue, is paying someone under the table is circumventing a law. It is wrong that one person lies and cheats, and pays under a table, while the honest business man who has government looking over his shoulder struggles to stay in business.

I agree, but my guess is that if government was more restricted to its constitutional functions and did far less meddling in wages, benefits, rules, regulations that do not HAVE to exist, and would focus instead on enforcing necessary laws, we would have much more honesty in the system. And there would be much less incentive for risking getting caught circumventing the system.

In a free market system, the value of the labor to the employer sets the salary or hourly wage or fees paid. When there is full employment, it is a sellers market for the employees and the employees have a lot more leverage in negotiating that 'fair and decent' wage with an employer. In times like now when we have millions out of work, there will be dozens or hundreds of applicants for every job offered. That makes it a buyers market for the employers which is a good thing because with so many fewer customers, their profits are reduced, and they cannot afford to offer as much in wages as they can offer when business is good.

 

[paulitician]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

 

[originalthought]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Who the hell works at Wal Mart and thinks they are going to make a decent wage? A job at Wal Mart is so low skilled that is doesn't deserve a lot of pay. it doesn't matter if Wal Mart makes 100 billion in outright profits. The job those workers do is low skill, low pay. You shouldn't expect to work there and make a decent wage.

 

[paulitician]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Who the hell works at Wal Mart and thinks they are going to make a decent wage? A job at Wal Mart is so low skilled that is doesn't deserve a lot of pay. it doesn't matter if Wal Mart makes 100 billion in outright profits. The job those workers do is low skill, low pay. You shouldn't expect to work there and make a decent wage.

Not a very wise or humane approach. You actually need those Workers. Every American Worker provides skills and services that Americans want and need. This is true of even 'lowly' Walmart Workers. But in the end, your approach is gonna come back around on you. You the Taxpayer will pay for Walmart's Slaves. Nothing is free. The Taxpayer will carry the burden of Slave Labor. And Walmart will laugh all the way to the bank.

 

[originalthought]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Who the hell works at Wal Mart and thinks they are going to make a decent wage? A job at Wal Mart is so low skilled that is doesn't deserve a lot of pay. it doesn't matter if Wal Mart makes 100 billion in outright profits. The job those workers do is low skill, low pay. You shouldn't expect to work there and make a decent wage.

Not a very wise or humane approach. You actually need those Workers. Every American Worker provides skills and services that Americans want and need. This is true of even 'lowly' Walmart Workers. But in the end, your approach is gonna come back around on you. You the Taxpayer will pay for Walmart's Slaves. Nothing is free. The Taxpayer will carry the burden of Slave Labor. And Walmart will laugh all the way to the bank.

Who are you to dicate what is humane? How dare you act like you have some supreme humanity and that you care for those people and I do not. If you work at a low skill job, you should expect a low wage. There is nothing inhumane about that.

Every worker does provide skills and services that Americans want and need; but that doesnt mean every job deserves to paid well.

And under the current economic system, I do agree that many things will come back and haunt us. The taxpayer will carry many burdens that we should not be forced to carry. And large corporations will laugh all the way to the bank.

People need to stop lumping the current corporate economy that America has with a free market. Its really more fascist than capitalist.

 

[gallantwarrior]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

A few thoughts here:
1. Any such "drive" is suspect. Knowing that certain political entities seek to discredit and demonize WalMart at every chance, I'd be more likely to consider such an effort just that, a political ploy. Sorry, but the anti-capitalist, anti-free-market factions have earned the discredit. Too bad their political maneuvers eventually do more harm than good to those they claim to want to help. Are we even sure that WalMart sponsored this drive?
2. My daughter worked at WalMart when 9/11 happened. A very close relative, someone involved in her upbringing, worked (still does) at the Pentagon. The store manager matched employee contributions to buy her a ticket to go "home" and make sure all was well. (She couldn't reach anyone for a couple of days.) While it may be a national chain, there is always some leeway for local management to act. Perhaps this store's management has decided to try to help in some way. At least it's something.
3. Everything I've read the past few weeks indicates that WalMart workers will be required to work on Thanksgiving, so what does it matter whether they have to goodies to celebrate? How about a decent day off to spend the holiday with family? Maybe workers should be offered the opportunity to volunteer to work Thanksgiving?

 

[paulitician]

Who the hell works at Wal Mart and thinks they are going to make a decent wage? A job at Wal Mart is so low skilled that is doesn't deserve a lot of pay. it doesn't matter if Wal Mart makes 100 billion in outright profits. The job those workers do is low skill, low pay. You shouldn't expect to work there and make a decent wage.

Not a very wise or humane approach. You actually need those Workers. Every American Worker provides skills and services that Americans want and need. This is true of even 'lowly' Walmart Workers. But in the end, your approach is gonna come back around on you. You the Taxpayer will pay for Walmart's Slaves. Nothing is free. The Taxpayer will carry the burden of Slave Labor. And Walmart will laugh all the way to the bank.

Who are you to dicate what is humane? How dare you act like you have some supreme humanity and that you care for those people and I do not. If you work at a low skill job, you should expect a low wage. There is nothing inhumane about that.

Every worker does provide skills and services that Americans want and need; but that doesnt mean every job deserves to paid well.

And under the current economic system, I do agree that many things will come back and haunt us. The taxpayer will carry many burdens that we should not be forced to carry. And large corporations will laugh all the way to the bank.

People need to stop lumping the current corporate economy that America has with a free market. Its really more fascist than capitalist.

Every American Worker deserves respect. Your approach is a bit arrogant and inhumane. But unfortunately, your approach is the norm in today's America. A Walmart Worker is less than human. They deserve to be treated like miserable slaves. But hey that's ok, because that mentality is coming back to bite Americans. Now it's the average American Taxpayer who will carry the burden of Walmart's Slaves. If you supported the Slave Labor, then don't bitch about your Taxes being raised. It's just too damn bad. Deal with it. That's exactly what you tell the Slaves, right?

 

[paulitician]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

A few thoughts here:
1. Any such "drive" is suspect. Knowing that certain political entities seek to discredit and demonize WalMart at every chance, I'd be more likely to consider such an effort just that, a political ploy. Sorry, but the anti-capitalist, anti-free-market factions have earned the discredit. Too bad their political maneuvers eventually do more harm than good to those they claim to want to help. Are we even sure that WalMart sponsored this drive?
2. My daughter worked at WalMart when 9/11 happened. A very close relative, someone involved in her upbringing, worked (still does) at the Pentagon. The store manager matched employee contributions to buy her a ticket to go "home" and make sure all was well. (She couldn't reach anyone for a couple of days.) While it may be a national chain, there is always some leeway for local management to act. Perhaps this store's management has decided to try to help in some way. At least it's something.
3. Everything I've read the past few weeks indicates that WalMart workers will be required to work on Thanksgiving, so what does it matter whether they have to goodies to celebrate? How about a decent day off to spend the holiday with family? Maybe workers should be offered the opportunity to volunteer to work Thanksgiving?

Working on Thanksgiving is mandatory at Walmart. I have relatives who have worked there. You don't show on Thanksgiving, you're out. But hey, Slaves don't need to spend time with their families. They just need to work. That's all their worth.

 

[Foxfyre]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

A few thoughts here:
1. Any such "drive" is suspect. Knowing that certain political entities seek to discredit and demonize WalMart at every chance, I'd be more likely to consider such an effort just that, a political ploy. Sorry, but the anti-capitalist, anti-free-market factions have earned the discredit. Too bad their political maneuvers eventually do more harm than good to those they claim to want to help. Are we even sure that WalMart sponsored this drive?
2. My daughter worked at WalMart when 9/11 happened. A very close relative, someone involved in her upbringing, worked (still does) at the Pentagon. The store manager matched employee contributions to buy her a ticket to go "home" and make sure all was well. (She couldn't reach anyone for a couple of days.) While it may be a national chain, there is always some leeway for local management to act. Perhaps this store's management has decided to try to help in some way. At least it's something.
3. Everything I've read the past few weeks indicates that WalMart workers will be required to work on Thanksgiving, so what does it matter whether they have to goodies to celebrate? How about a decent day off to spend the holiday with family? Maybe workers should be offered the opportunity to volunteer to work Thanksgiving?

I have a good friend, just a little younger than I am, who has worked at Walmart by choice for years now. It is close to her home, it pays well enough for her needs, she enjoys the work, and she loves the people she works for and with. She is frustrated that Obamacare is forcing a lot of folks off of full time schedules onto part time schedules, and that she will no longer able to volunteer for extra shifts when she needs a little extra spending money. So she is happy to volunteer for holiday duty, like Thanksgiving, because she can receive double pay to make up for some of the money government regulations are costing her.

But for her, Walmart pays a fair and decent wage because it is all she needs.

And she too has kicked into the kitty to help out the temps and other folks who are experiencing tough times and need more than what Walmart pays to dig themselves out of financial holes. But those folks are most grateful to get the work they get at Walmart even though everybody understands they'll be moving on when they can find something better.

 

[paulitician]

A very high price to pay for low wages.


Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner?

Michael Snyder
Economic Collapse
November 19, 2013

You may find what is happening at one Wal-Mart in Ohio very hard to believe. At the Wal-mart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton, Ohio employees are being asked to donate food items so that other employees that cannot afford to buy Thanksgiving dinner will be able to enjoy one too.

On the one hand, it is commendable that someone at that Wal-Mart is deeply concerned about the employees that are so poor that they cannot afford to buy the food that they need for Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this is a perfect example that shows how the quality of the jobs in this country has gone down the toilet. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and it had operating income of 26.5 billion dollars last year. Wal-Mart is not required to pay their employees a decent wage, and it is very unlikely that anyone will force them to. But they should. Because Wal-Mart does not pay decent wages to their employees, the rest of us end up with the bill. As you will see below, huge numbers of Wal-Mart employees end up on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. Meanwhile, those that control Wal-Mart continue to enjoy absolutely massive profits.

The following is a short excerpt from a local news story about the donation bins that have been set out at the Wal-Mart in Canton, Ohio. As the story notes, this does not appear to be a nationwide program, and the donation bins are only available in an employee-only area…
The storage containers are attractively displayed at the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard in Canton. The bins are lined up in alternating colors of purple and orange. Some sit on tables covered with golden yellow tablecloths. Others peer out from under the tables.

This isn’t a merchandise display. It’s a food drive – not for the community, but for needy workers.
“Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” read signs affixed to the tablecloths...

» Collecting Donations For Wal-Mart Employees That Cannot Afford Thanksgiving Dinner? Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

A few thoughts here:
1. Any such "drive" is suspect. Knowing that certain political entities seek to discredit and demonize WalMart at every chance, I'd be more likely to consider such an effort just that, a political ploy. Sorry, but the anti-capitalist, anti-free-market factions have earned the discredit. Too bad their political maneuvers eventually do more harm than good to those they claim to want to help. Are we even sure that WalMart sponsored this drive?
2. My daughter worked at WalMart when 9/11 happened. A very close relative, someone involved in her upbringing, worked (still does) at the Pentagon. The store manager matched employee contributions to buy her a ticket to go "home" and make sure all was well. (She couldn't reach anyone for a couple of days.) While it may be a national chain, there is always some leeway for local management to act. Perhaps this store's management has decided to try to help in some way. At least it's something.
3. Everything I've read the past few weeks indicates that WalMart workers will be required to work on Thanksgiving, so what does it matter whether they have to goodies to celebrate? How about a decent day off to spend the holiday with family? Maybe workers should be offered the opportunity to volunteer to work Thanksgiving?

I have a good friend, just a little younger than I am, who has worked at Walmart by choice. It is close to her home, it pays well enough for her needs, she enjoys the work, and she loves the people she works for and with. She is frustrated that Obamacare is forcing a lot of folks off of full time schedules onto part time schedules, and that she will no longer able to volunteer for extra shifts when she needs a little extra spending money. So she is happy to volunteer for holiday duty, like Thanksgiving, because she can receive double pay to make up for some of the money government regulations are costing her.

But for her, Walmart pays a fair and decent wage because it is all she needs.

And she too has kicked into the kitty to help out the temps and other folks who are experiencing tough times and need more than what Walmart pays to dig themselves out of financial holes. But they are most grateful to get the work they get at Walmart even though everybody understands they'll be moving on when they can find something better.

How bout just paying em better? Could help them a bit more, no? I mean come on, Walmart can afford it. Walmart should be ashamed. Their Employees begging for scraps? Pretty despicable.

 

[Mac1958]

Every American Worker deserves respect. Your approach is a bit arrogant and inhumane. But unfortunately, your approach is the norm in today's America. A Walmart Worker is less than human. They deserve to be treated like miserable slaves. But hey that's ok, because that mentality is coming back to bite Americans. Now it's the average American Taxpayer who will carry the burden of Walmart's Slaves. If you supported the Slave Labor, then don't bitch about your Taxes being raised. It's just too damn bad. Deal with it. That's exactly what you tell the Slaves, right?

Multiple straw men arguments, check.

Massive hyperbole, check.

Comparisons of modern-day Americans to the horrors of slavery, check.

Wow, well done.

Holy crap.



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[originalthought]

Not a very wise or humane approach. You actually need those Workers. Every American Worker provides skills and services that Americans want and need. This is true of even 'lowly' Walmart Workers. But in the end, your approach is gonna come back around on you. You the Taxpayer will pay for Walmart's Slaves. Nothing is free. The Taxpayer will carry the burden of Slave Labor. And Walmart will laugh all the way to the bank.

Who are you to dicate what is humane? How dare you act like you have some supreme humanity and that you care for those people and I do not. If you work at a low skill job, you should expect a low wage. There is nothing inhumane about that.

Every worker does provide skills and services that Americans want and need; but that doesnt mean every job deserves to paid well.

And under the current economic system, I do agree that many things will come back and haunt us. The taxpayer will carry many burdens that we should not be forced to carry. And large corporations will laugh all the way to the bank.

People need to stop lumping the current corporate economy that America has with a free market. Its really more fascist than capitalist.

Every American Worker deserves respect. Your approach is a bit arrogant and inhumane. But unfortunately, your approach is the norm in today's America. A Walmart Worker is less than human. They deserve to be treated like miserable slaves. But hey that's ok, because that mentality is coming back to bite Americans. Now it's the average American Taxpayer who will carry the burden of Walmart's Slaves. If you supported the Slave Labor, then don't bitch about your Taxes being raised. It's just too damn bad. Deal with it. That's exactly what you tell the Slaves, right?

LOL. You talk about respect yet you have no idea what it is. How is my approach inhumane? Did i make anyone work at Walmart? No.
I respect everyone, especially those who provide me with services I want (Walmart employee). But that service is somehting i can train a 12 year kid to do really. Its not hard, it's not difficult. It's not inhumane to say that and recoginze that.

They are not less human, but they do do less valubale work than other people who provide services to me (like my plumber).

 

[Foxfyre]

A few thoughts here:
1. Any such "drive" is suspect. Knowing that certain political entities seek to discredit and demonize WalMart at every chance, I'd be more likely to consider such an effort just that, a political ploy. Sorry, but the anti-capitalist, anti-free-market factions have earned the discredit. Too bad their political maneuvers eventually do more harm than good to those they claim to want to help. Are we even sure that WalMart sponsored this drive?
2. My daughter worked at WalMart when 9/11 happened. A very close relative, someone involved in her upbringing, worked (still does) at the Pentagon. The store manager matched employee contributions to buy her a ticket to go "home" and make sure all was well. (She couldn't reach anyone for a couple of days.) While it may be a national chain, there is always some leeway for local management to act. Perhaps this store's management has decided to try to help in some way. At least it's something.
3. Everything I've read the past few weeks indicates that WalMart workers will be required to work on Thanksgiving, so what does it matter whether they have to goodies to celebrate? How about a decent day off to spend the holiday with family? Maybe workers should be offered the opportunity to volunteer to work Thanksgiving?

I have a good friend, just a little younger than I am, who has worked at Walmart by choice. It is close to her home, it pays well enough for her needs, she enjoys the work, and she loves the people she works for and with. She is frustrated that Obamacare is forcing a lot of folks off of full time schedules onto part time schedules, and that she will no longer able to volunteer for extra shifts when she needs a little extra spending money. So she is happy to volunteer for holiday duty, like Thanksgiving, because she can receive double pay to make up for some of the money government regulations are costing her.

But for her, Walmart pays a fair and decent wage because it is all she needs.

And she too has kicked into the kitty to help out the temps and other folks who are experiencing tough times and need more than what Walmart pays to dig themselves out of financial holes. But they are most grateful to get the work they get at Walmart even though everybody understands they'll be moving on when they can find something better.

How bout just paying em better? Could help them a bit more, no? I mean come on, Walmart can afford it. Walmart should be ashamed. Their Employees begging for scraps? Pretty despicable.

Walmart's profit margin hovers right around 3% which is about as low as you can go and stay in that kind of business considering the built in obsolecence and depreciation of most of their inventory. It exists by offering a shopping mall variety of products in a much smaller space and at prices that bring customers into the stores. It is that very marketing strategy that allows them to be the nation's largest private sector employer. And they pay as well as other large retail chains with some additional benefits to employees that the others don't offer.

Sears and Penneys both have somewhat lower profit margin than Walmart but neither hire more than a fraction of the people that Walmart employ. And both have a really tough time expanding and creating additional jobs which Walmart does consistently.

I don't believe, however, that I have EVER worked for anybody that did not have at least somebody on staff who was having a tough financial go of it. And I myself have been in dire financial straights and was more than grateful to get a minimum wage job that would allow us to put beans on the table and help us juggle the bills until we could dig out.

I did not expect my employer to be a welfare agency or take me to raise. I frankly don't understand the mentality of those who think a private business should be that for anybody.

I do however do what I can to volunteer for those agencies that are helping out folks in need. I suggest those who feel sorry for the poor do that. It would be far more generous and magnanimous to do that than to expect others to do it so the concerned person does not need to have any responsibility for that.

 

[BlackSand]

How bout just paying em better? Could help them a bit more, no? I mean come on, Walmart can afford it. Walmart should be ashamed. Their Employees begging for scraps? Pretty despicable.

I think the ability for any employee to earn more money is a noble idea ... And sincerely hope that your application to Wal-Mart's management team is considered.
Other than that ... I think it is a disgrace to present the notion that Thanksgiving Dinner is any more important than dinner Tuesday night as far as the hungry are concerned.

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