There have been a number of questions from people who don’t quite understand how a McDonald’s worker could even begin to think about demanding $15 an hour for his/her work. On its surface, one can see the absurdity. The protestors are working jobs that were intended for teeangers and not on which to support a family. The most difficult work that a person at McDonald’s has to do is lift up to 50 pounds alone (of course this does prove a legitimate hurdle for some). One needn’t even make use of language for some positions. How could anything they contribute be worth $15/hour? Let Pop Psyc break it down!
Such a thought process suggests that the person has a certain level of privilege. Clearly, this privilege is clouding their ability to see the inequality inherent in a low-wage system. Capitalism in the U.S. has formed the country into an economic environment that advantages an elite few on the low-paid, back-breaking work of the many. The very economic system we use and the U.S.’s interpretation of it has created this climate. What the oligarchy doesn’t understand is that its greed is breeding a revolution.
One of the major divides between the haves and the have nots is who is actually in the Fight for 15. McDonald’s is one of the largest companies in the world and that profile often leads to misunderstandings in communication about its practices and standards. However, workers from this company are not the only ones in the Fight. Low-wage earners from Walmart, the childcare sector, warehouses and many more sectors are all calling for a living wage that will allow them to survive. It is not only about McDonald’s workers, but about an entire group of people who earn low-wages. So when we address the issue of a living wage, we must not hold ourselves to one concept of a people it concerns.
Once one is clear about the stakeholders, we must consider the demands. Low-wage earners are requesting a living wage. Many seem to think that $15 an hour is a lot of money, but it actually is just over $31,000 annually. The amount of money itself is not that much, but many don’t think the people in these jobs deserve that. They must understand that the money is not for how difficult, demanding or uncomfortable the work is; although it often is. The fight is about a person giving of his/her time and effort to a company and the need to be compensated at a rate that allows him/her to survive without government assistance.
There are a lot of misunderstandings about the movement. Many people don’t know, or even understand, that one can be working full-time and still require some sort of government assistance to make end’s meet. How can this be? Government assistance comes in a variety of forms including money, housing, food vouchers, healthcare, childcare and more. To get these services one must follow stringent guidelines (income requirement, employment search requirements, drug testing) which inform their daily decisions. Government assistant isn’t the simple handing off of a check to a poor person that the masses think. When low-wage earners are fighting for a living wage, they are demanding the ability to provide for themselves and family without reliance on the government. Is that what the wealthy say they want?
Still not convinced? I may not be either, because as Psychologist-in-Training I love data. Let’s look at the stats! Below is a table breaking down the amount of government assistance that is being given to Fast Food Workers in particular (remember that the movement is larger than just them):
Such a thought process suggests that the person has a certain level of privilege. Clearly, this privilege is clouding their ability to see the inequality inherent in a low-wage system. Capitalism in the U.S. has formed the country into an economic environment that advantages an elite few on the low-paid, back-breaking work of the many. The very economic system we use and the U.S.’s interpretation of it has created this climate. What the oligarchy doesn’t understand is that its greed is breeding a revolution.
One of the major divides between the haves and the have nots is who is actually in the Fight for 15. McDonald’s is one of the largest companies in the world and that profile often leads to misunderstandings in communication about its practices and standards. However, workers from this company are not the only ones in the Fight. Low-wage earners from Walmart, the childcare sector, warehouses and many more sectors are all calling for a living wage that will allow them to survive. It is not only about McDonald’s workers, but about an entire group of people who earn low-wages. So when we address the issue of a living wage, we must not hold ourselves to one concept of a people it concerns.
Once one is clear about the stakeholders, we must consider the demands. Low-wage earners are requesting a living wage. Many seem to think that $15 an hour is a lot of money, but it actually is just over $31,000 annually. The amount of money itself is not that much, but many don’t think the people in these jobs deserve that. They must understand that the money is not for how difficult, demanding or uncomfortable the work is; although it often is. The fight is about a person giving of his/her time and effort to a company and the need to be compensated at a rate that allows him/her to survive without government assistance.
There are a lot of misunderstandings about the movement. Many people don’t know, or even understand, that one can be working full-time and still require some sort of government assistance to make end’s meet. How can this be? Government assistance comes in a variety of forms including money, housing, food vouchers, healthcare, childcare and more. To get these services one must follow stringent guidelines (income requirement, employment search requirements, drug testing) which inform their daily decisions. Government assistant isn’t the simple handing off of a check to a poor person that the masses think. When low-wage earners are fighting for a living wage, they are demanding the ability to provide for themselves and family without reliance on the government. Is that what the wealthy say they want?
Still not convinced? I may not be either, because as Psychologist-in-Training I love data. Let’s look at the stats! Below is a table breaking down the amount of government assistance that is being given to Fast Food Workers in particular (remember that the movement is larger than just them):
Finally, let’s consider some demographics. The average minimum wage earner is 35 years old according to a piece in the New York Times in 2014. Of these workers, only about 54% actually work 35 hours or more per week. This has a large impact on the earning potential and sustainability for these workers and their families.
Take a moment and consider where you expect to be in your life by age 35. Those ideas might include goals such as children, a partner, a comfortable residence, leisure time and gainful employment. However, without a living-wage employment, it is difficult to attain the goals that may be in your picture of yourself at 35 years old. This is the reality for millions of Americans.
So, what type of country sets up it’s own citizens up to fail in the workplace and, ultimately, in life? The United States of America!
Take a moment and consider where you expect to be in your life by age 35. Those ideas might include goals such as children, a partner, a comfortable residence, leisure time and gainful employment. However, without a living-wage employment, it is difficult to attain the goals that may be in your picture of yourself at 35 years old. This is the reality for millions of Americans.
So, what type of country sets up it’s own citizens up to fail in the workplace and, ultimately, in life? The United States of America!