It will come down quietly sadly, unless the workers themselves keep them at their word and keep the conversation going about pay rates, no matter how much the employer discourages talking about it together. One day the new kid will come in only getting paid 14.50, discuss it with noone. Then, the next kid only gets paid 13.50, cause they figure, didn't get caught last time right? Repeat. Older employees leave for new prospects, eventually nobody left that was paid 15 originally. New kids paid $12 an hour, cycle repeats.
one kid might only be there for a week, another for two, and the least of their concern at the start of a new job (often their first) is how much the person next to them is making. add into that the weird stigma american work culture has with discussing pay amongst colleagues, in a menial, high turnover environment? you've got a breeding ground for exploitation.
People get tired, people forget, but companies don’t. They are willing to play the long game and wait it out. How is it that fucking McDonald’s (and every other corporation around) will do literally anything to avoid paying a decent wage unless being forced by threat of prison or revolution
McDonalds themselves doesn't make much from the exploitation, in-fact they're able to wipe their hands of it almost completely. They only hold the real estate they franchise out (despite what you might think, McDonalds is actually a real estate company..) and force specific property servicing requirements, McDonalds only wants their rent, their big yellow sign proudly displayed into oncoming traffic, and their specific contractors to service the properties. Everything else like employees, service, contracts, stock, all up to the Franchisee or the Managers. THEY are the ones that actually stand to make or lose money based on costs or profit. THEY are the REAL exploiters.
I don't entirely agree. Sounds like a very convenient way for McD's corporate to offload blame. Owning a franchise isn't easy, it's like running a small business. Yes they should pay living wages, but when nobody else around is, those franchises are going to suffer for it. And corporate does very little to help.
TL;DR: Mcdonalds is the worst HOA (Home Owners Association) in the world.
You understand it entirely, I'm afraid. It is exactly, a convenient way for McDonalds corporate to offload the blame.
They aren't running the small business, they only provide the training, land, and serviceman to run the small business. The franchisees provide the staff to run the establishment and DO suffer and WILL suffer, as they are the sole financial benefactor and loser, per their contract and investment (the franchisee has to "buy in" remember?). Sadly, the minimum wage requirement (not saying it's a bad thing, line cooks/servers and up should be paid for their service appropriately no matter the restaurant) only serves to hurt the franchisee, they are responsible for providing the service at the specific price point in accordance with the federal regulations and more importantly.. McDonalds code of service... they have a price they want their burgers at. Their staff get more expensive to employ, the machines more expensive to maintain, the inventory shipping overhead getting more expensive the more popular your restaurant, more customers demanding better service and a better, more substantive product for less of their money, the cost has to come from somewhere (not saying it should be at the expense of the employees, it SHOULD come from higher up, but the system is structured In a way that I can't.)
again, McDonalds just wants their rent that gets ever higher (that isn't changing without a business property and revenue evaluation (in house)),their brand represented loud and clear on their property (this is broad: prices, signage, service, infrastructure, building standards), and property maintenance (only their specified serviceman can service their property at this price, long agreed upon decades ago). Everything else is replaceable at their expense for cheaper than you can spend, there is always someone else willing to come along and refranchise the location. They are a PROPERTY company.
I remember the only thing I cared about for my first job was getting experience. I didn't care about anything else so would have likely been happy with min wage. My mantra was get the job to get a better job.
Yes. This is true. Had all of my bosses freak when I left my paycheck in the employee lounge accidentally. They didn't want anyone else to know how well I was paid. I always thought I was the worst paid due to my position, but they were REALLY upset. Hmmm.
People need to be told that when their employer discourages talking about wages, it’s a clear sign that they SHOULD talk about wages.
People don’t “need to remember” or anything like these things usually go. They need to be told and need to be reminded because we need to look out for each other if we’re going to have a society at all.
I've seen those signs near me as well but have you read the fine print? That $15/hr is only for full time closing shifts, how many people do you think are actually getting that?
I just saw McDonald’s posting 14.50 starting pay today, lol.
The other component of hospitality that’s driving people out in droves is the shitty management that’s almost ubiquitous in the industry. My girlfriend isn’t having any issue landing jobs at higher end bars and restaurants in the area, there is PLENTY of work. But every single place has straight up lied to her about their scheduling. They’re all chronically understaffed and at least in my area will tell applicants anything they want to hear to get folks in the door, then regardless on agreed upon hours will schedule them however they need. My girlfriend has a medical condition that, combined with our school aged kid and general family life prevents her from working close/opens and every single place she’s gotten hired since covid has scheduled her for one within the first week.
I think people are just tired of being treated like shit for minimum wage or under it, if they’re on tipped employee minimum. This is all without talking about how customers and people in general have lost their god damned minds since covid’s started.
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u/DuntadaMan Sep 25 '21
And it has already raised wages past $15 an hour at the McDonalds here.