Ted Rall for May 10, 2021

Right at the moment, in some places unemployment PLUS $300/week “Covid special unemployment” pays more than $15/hour. So it’s even more uncomfortable for a small business to try to pay, not just equal  to but MORE than the unemployment because on unemployment, you have free time TOO. That, and a lot of the folks who are both experienced and still looking for an entry level job aren’t real experienced with thinking long term.

And of course, Rall’s point is also valid.

An article in yesterday’s paper talked about stolen pay for low wage earners. Companies not paying minimum wage or the agreed upon wage. Also not paying for overtime worked.

The Black Death in the mid 1300s wiped out approximately 40% of the European population and brought about the collapse of feudal society. The serfs gained newfound bargaining power as not enough remained to service the monied “nobility”. It’s time to reverse the “slave” mentality of American business through worker unionization. A massive solidarity movement helped establish the middle class in mid 20th century America, and it continues to be a foundation of societal success in European countries like Sweden, Norway, etc. Although I have had several successful side businesses, I have always been in a union and have seen firsthand that it’s an effective deterrent to greed and abuse.

My MBA will be a 37-year-old virgin next week, and I’d join a union today.

Before the plague and the extra unemployment farmers were having a terrible problem finding people. They even were offering better money close to $15/hour. No Americans wanted to do it. That is why we need the immigrants.

Minimum wage says, " If I could pay you less, I would."

Rule of Thumb: regardless of a prospective employer’s claimed religious/ethical beliefs, as soon as one of them (not quite all individual/corporate employers are thoroughly corrupted by greed . . . yet!) senses s/he can acquire one more $, s/he will ignore those claimed religious/ethical beliefs in a what-passes-for-a-heart beat. Über and Lyft are blatant and indisputable examples and there are many, many more, some less obvious and many quite subtle. Anyone who believes the so-called marketplace functions on a level playing field thinks “skewed” is a synonym for “level.”

I have always been in a union and have seen firsthand that it’s an effective deterrent to greed and abuse.

Its funny how union offices treat staff that belong to different unions

Good job today, Theodore.

In and Out Burgers wages start at $17 an hour, they have no trouble finding employees.

Odd how bosses who denigrate potential workers fail to perceive that could be hurting their attempts to find workers…

Ted — on the layoff sign, you forgot “Don’t give you enough hours work so that you qualify for any benefits. And make your schedule erratic so you can’t work a second job.”

Peons are for peeing on, that’s the American Way. I believe it’s called Tinkle Down Economics. We must keep the investors happy, too much is never enough.

Canada solved the problem with “temporary foreign workers”. People from other countries gladly work cheaper without complaining about shitty working conditions, as long as you let them stay

You have to start someplace…

Ehem, indentured servitude…

Didn’t the Republicans consider repealing the 13th Amendment just before the election was stolen /s

Pretty darn accurate!

So wait, running a cash register is “hard work?” Next you will say that it takes a lot of skills and education to flip burgers, and it is one of the hardest jobs on the planet, right? Apparently, some people in America do not understand what “hard work,” or having a job that requires an education are.

Capitalists are upset that workers are quitting in mass due to low wages.

Moscow Mitch vetoed a higher minimum wage 15 times and voted to raise his own salary 7 times. Republicans are why there is no equity in this country.

‘Help wanted’, says it all. Not paid workers, or well paid workers, help. Assistance for a poor capitalist down on his luck. Low pay, high on experience. Perhaps a sign saying: Employment at a decent rate of pay, with benefits; overtime rates, sick leave, meal breaks, etc. etc..