We have a Kellogg’s plant that just turned down the offer. The company has some “structure” which divides the workforce into two groups. One gets decent wages and the other doesn’t. The company is balking at moving the last group into the first at a quicker rate. The company has decided to hire replacements. Considering the temper of the times that may blow up in its face.
At one time, when there was real manufacturing in the US, most of those jobs didn’t have to pay a living wage because most of the employees were High School and College students. It was that or the non-working parent (usually Moms) that worked for a few extra bucks after the kids grew up. It was shift managers that earned what would be considered a living wage, then. As manufacturing shifted over to overseas (China, mostly) service jobs like working in as fast-food joint have since become a primary job. Manufacturing, mostly in small start-ups is beginning to reappear in the US. Hopefully some of the big guys will do it, too, but I doubt it. Either way, living wages in these jobs are now required if they want to succeed.
Perhaps bigger than actual wages is how workers are treated with never having a fixed schedule/# hours. Coming to work (after spending an hour on the bus) and being told it is not busy enough and to go home or wait in parking lot(off the clock) in case business picks up. Fast food has moved away from hiring American teenagers since they are limited in the hours they are available to work and are not as docile as immigrants who really need the job.Before I retired 12 years ago I worked at a large public university that privatized food service in the dorms-a Wendy’s came in and the only worker who could speak English was the manager.
R Crumb would be proud of this collection of corporate bar flys getting lubricated after a hard lday at the office screwing the little people. How the mighty have fallen. Alas, poor Jack, I knew him well.
The crocodile tears shed by “big business” are as meaningless as their hiring promises and press releases. It all comes down to profits before and above people. Shareholders (and C-suite) uber alles.
Gee, paying the minimum and treating workers badly doesn’t instill loyalty? The people who can’t understand how ridiculous that stance is are the same ones who keep finding themselves short-staffed…
Forgot to add that employers think that people are obligated to work for them – even people whom they haven’t hired… next, they’ll be expecting their workers to pay them for the privilege of working for them…
I think this cartoon is an over simplification. In rural and semi rural America this is the case and wage increases may improve the labor market. However I am from Pittsburgh and and most businesses have upped their starting wage to $15/hr, some this benefits as well, and the the workers just aren’t there. why you ask, some have started their own businesses, some can’t get childcare, others just decided to change their lifestyle, many older workers decided to retire, etc.
Pittsburgh is not a city with a high cost of living, in fact is has some of the most affordable housing in urban America, yet many restaurants are take out only because they don’t have the staff to return to business as usual, etc. In fact, most businesses have signs that they are hiring, so this is not just a restaurant issue.
In my suburban, rural neck of the woods every burger flipping joint, McDs, Wendy’s and other no skill entry level business is offering $15 as starting wages. In all my travels it’s the same everywhere. This lying toon of M2B’s is just more divisive, lying, left wing disinformation.
Maybe if certain people took ownership of their future, applied their education to better themselves, etc, etc. There will always be the those at the lowest rung who want it all for free. And there just happens to be a party gladly to exchange cash for their vote.
mr_sherman Premium Member over 2 years ago
Poor old Jack, stuck in the back. They won’t let him in, stinking of Gin.
Concretionist over 2 years ago
Actually, that seems to be only one of three things that they want:
» Yes, living wages.
» AND treat them as valued people. Not pretend it with slogans and “birthday parties” once a month..
» AND give them work that’s actually meaningful.
You can probably get away without one of the last two, but not without both.
GOGOPOWERANGERS over 2 years ago
Hey look the boardroom meme..
wiatr over 2 years ago
We have a Kellogg’s plant that just turned down the offer. The company has some “structure” which divides the workforce into two groups. One gets decent wages and the other doesn’t. The company is balking at moving the last group into the first at a quicker rate. The company has decided to hire replacements. Considering the temper of the times that may blow up in its face.
mr_sherman Premium Member over 2 years ago
At one time, when there was real manufacturing in the US, most of those jobs didn’t have to pay a living wage because most of the employees were High School and College students. It was that or the non-working parent (usually Moms) that worked for a few extra bucks after the kids grew up. It was shift managers that earned what would be considered a living wage, then. As manufacturing shifted over to overseas (China, mostly) service jobs like working in as fast-food joint have since become a primary job. Manufacturing, mostly in small start-ups is beginning to reappear in the US. Hopefully some of the big guys will do it, too, but I doubt it. Either way, living wages in these jobs are now required if they want to succeed.
ollou90 over 2 years ago
The fast food mascots haven’t aged well!
Masterskrain Premium Member over 2 years ago
“PAY A LIVING WAGE?” Why, that’s positively Un-American!!!
(I wish it was satire, but it’s not!)
Blaidd Drwg Premium Member over 2 years ago
Terrific Marty. This one is a keeper!!
Gen.Flashman over 2 years ago
Perhaps bigger than actual wages is how workers are treated with never having a fixed schedule/# hours. Coming to work (after spending an hour on the bus) and being told it is not busy enough and to go home or wait in parking lot(off the clock) in case business picks up. Fast food has moved away from hiring American teenagers since they are limited in the hours they are available to work and are not as docile as immigrants who really need the job.Before I retired 12 years ago I worked at a large public university that privatized food service in the dorms-a Wendy’s came in and the only worker who could speak English was the manager.
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 2 years ago
Got to decide.. pay your shareholders or workers, it’s one or the other but not both.
MG over 2 years ago
R Crumb would be proud of this collection of corporate bar flys getting lubricated after a hard lday at the office screwing the little people. How the mighty have fallen. Alas, poor Jack, I knew him well.
Gweedo -it's legal here- Murray over 2 years ago
I quit eating at those places long ago.
NatureBatsLast over 2 years ago
Lot’s of things coming to an end or being questioned, wonder if that portends anything?
sperry532 over 2 years ago
The crocodile tears shed by “big business” are as meaningless as their hiring promises and press releases. It all comes down to profits before and above people. Shareholders (and C-suite) uber alles.
ferddo over 2 years ago
Gee, paying the minimum and treating workers badly doesn’t instill loyalty? The people who can’t understand how ridiculous that stance is are the same ones who keep finding themselves short-staffed…
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 2 years ago
Living wages would be around $25 an hour with medical.
ferddo over 2 years ago
Forgot to add that employers think that people are obligated to work for them – even people whom they haven’t hired… next, they’ll be expecting their workers to pay them for the privilege of working for them…
The Love of Money is . . . over 2 years ago
When pigs fly . . . or barstools.
TCA1799 Premium Member over 2 years ago
I think this cartoon is an over simplification. In rural and semi rural America this is the case and wage increases may improve the labor market. However I am from Pittsburgh and and most businesses have upped their starting wage to $15/hr, some this benefits as well, and the the workers just aren’t there. why you ask, some have started their own businesses, some can’t get childcare, others just decided to change their lifestyle, many older workers decided to retire, etc.
Pittsburgh is not a city with a high cost of living, in fact is has some of the most affordable housing in urban America, yet many restaurants are take out only because they don’t have the staff to return to business as usual, etc. In fact, most businesses have signs that they are hiring, so this is not just a restaurant issue.
Kracklin Rosie - “Tolo Dan Nan Galad” Premium Member over 2 years ago
In my suburban, rural neck of the woods every burger flipping joint, McDs, Wendy’s and other no skill entry level business is offering $15 as starting wages. In all my travels it’s the same everywhere. This lying toon of M2B’s is just more divisive, lying, left wing disinformation.
jms.ed.brs over 2 years ago
Maybe if certain people took ownership of their future, applied their education to better themselves, etc, etc. There will always be the those at the lowest rung who want it all for free. And there just happens to be a party gladly to exchange cash for their vote.