Around 7 this morning, fast food employee's all over the country poised a strike for higher pay rates. Employee's from one Chatham McDonald's staged a walkout in protest. The frustrated staff members are protesting their wages in what has been dubbed the "fight for 15." Although the protest is courageous, and does address a necessary need for a minimum wage increase, who is going to pay a person bagging McDonald's 99 cent fry 15 bucks. No smart franchisee would. And you can bet your $1 Sweet Tea, that the McDonald's corporation would rather close locations than increase the worker's wage to $15. Call it bureaucracy; call it unjust; but when you're done, call it like it is. It is unrealistic to expect any savvy business owner to pay a person preparing a meal, amounting to a whopping $3.30, at the rate the dismayed employees are seeking. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed that the minimum wage be increased to $13 by 2018. When I first saw this proposal I was elated. I do think an increase is in order. But soon after, my own pockets reminded me that a $13 minimum wage is bad for business. At that rate even major corps would suffer a gigantic loss in profit margins. How are small business owners supposed to survive with the minimum wage set as high as $13. $8.25 is unfair to the employee, but $13 is unfair to the employer.
I'm no business expert. I'm also no Republican. I believe that minimum wage straps the lower class in their economic struggles. But, if $13 bucks is what I'll have to pay my employees in four fiscal years, I'll have to cut projected hiring rate by at least half just to stay profitable. I'm not talking greed here, I'm talking the survivability of small business in IL. So what's the solution, you ask. A realistic rate increase. The minimum wage in Illinois has only increased by 50 cents since 2009. If businesses weren't expected to fund a hike of nearly five dollars, then, why should they now? I believe that a fair raise for both business and employee is probably around $11.
What do you think? Am I just pinching pennies because I own a small business? Is the hike going to kill commerce on the business side? We'd love to hear your opinion! And remember, it is up to you to like, share, and comment what's on your streets.
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ATS MagAgainst the Stream Magazine is an urban platform. We edify our readers by finding noble, pure, and true talent and giving it a stage to flourish. While we love bragging about the folks around us, we also tackle urban issues by giving real world solutions. Archives
September 2015
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