Minimum Wage Increase?

Let us talk minimum wage increase. This is a topic that I would like to say, I know quite a bit about due to my profession. If you choose to comment, keep in mind I am looking for an understanding of other’s opinions. I have never commented on anyone’s posts negatively, regardless of my opinion.

For those interested in the minimum wage to increase to $15, I am curious why? How many people do you honestly know that is currently making minimum wage (that are not high school or college kids)? It is said that the minimum wage to be raised for it to be a livable income. Minimum wage was not designed to be a livable income. Instead, it was an opportunity for people (teenagers mainly) to obtain skills and knowledge to grow in the workforce. Those that are adults that need a livable wage are not working at a minimum wage (especially if they have tenure with the worksite and are a good/hard worker). That is where the raises and promotions come into play. I am not saying minimum wage should not be raised, but raised to $15, an over 50% increase I do not see why this is justifiable.

Here are some examples: If someone does not have skills or experience and needs a “livable wage” (I put this in quotes because what exactly is “livable wage” – some consider it food on the table, car that drives point A to point B and a place to lay your head when you sleep. Others consider it much more. This is a very “loose” term and can be very opinion based on what someone “feels” is a “livable wage”).

· No Skills, entering the workforce for the first time working for a “livable wage”: The percent of people like this is very slim in America. However, these are the people that the minimum wage increase will help the most. There are plenty of places that do not pay minimum wage to start. Places like Starbucks, HEB, Chick-fila, Buccees the list goes on. If someone is in this situation, they can search for a location that will compensate them more than what minimum wage offers.

· Highschool and College Students with no workforce skills. Do these students honestly need to be making more than the current minimum wage, especially if they have no living expenses? Granted there are some that need the income to help their family, but again this is a very small percentage.

· Someone that has been a receptionist/ admin assistant for the last 5 years that makes $12 an hour (no college degree). Should this person get an increase? Yes absolutely, if they are a good worker they should be REWARDED with an increase, but what increase should they get? Should they get $15 an hour? That does not seem fair if the minimum wage is $15. So, should they go to $17 or $20?

· What about recent grads with a business degree? They have no work experience except a few odd jobs, but nothing that is relevant to the degree. An average graduate with a business degree makes about 35K-45K a year. If minimum wage is raised, that is about 31K per year. So now recent grads should also be getting more coming out of college?

· What about all the skilled labor workers- construction, welders, machinists, etc. Those in these types of jobs starting off in their first few years will be making under $15 unless they have training from a technical school. So, should these people just make a minimum wage? Or should they make more?

What I am getting at with these examples is raising the minimum wage is a domino effect. If the minimum wage is raised to $15, that means all salaries across the board would need to be evaluated. It would also cause less self-motivation to make more money.

I was in retail for 9 years. The HIGHEST I ever made in retail (as a manager) was 28K. As stated earlier, $31K is $15 an hour (40 hours a week). I knew I could not live the life I wanted at 28K. So, I motivated my self to be better and do better for me and my family. I do not have a college degree (one of my biggest regrets), it took me at least 10 years longer to get where I am than those with a college degree, but I did it. The higher the minimum wage, the less you will have people like me trying to do better for themselves.

I believe if the minimum wage is raised to $15 all salaries across the board would need to be evaluated. Companies will not be able to withstand the higher salaries, therefore all products and services will rise significantly, lay-offs will occur, and we will lose some of those that were motivated to do better and make more- because now they are content with their pay.

I am open to other’s opinions. We all have our own feeling about this topic. All I ask is remain respectful. I would like to restate that I am for an increase in minimum wage- but is $15 justifiable and necessary- especially if it causes a domino effect