Seattle and the minimum wage increase

[SunsetBengal]

(07-20-2015, 11:04 PM)Johnny Cupcakes Wrote: I will add on top of this statement that for every teenager that doesn't deserve $15/hour, there is a skilled tradesman with nothing more than a high school diploma that is massively underpaid. 
I worked landscaping a couple of summers in high school, and there were adult men there making 9 bucks per hour to try to support their families.  Of course, after work, they'd go deliver pizzas to pay the bills.  Landscaping for $9/hour is maybe more insane than making mcflurries for $15/hour.  In my line of work, I come across a lot of guys that do a great job in really important positions that are underpaid.  The UAW and such will sometimes protect these workers and pay them a worthy wage, but all too often, I see dudes slave away all day for next to nothing.

It's a hard thing to balance.

I agree, JC.  Fast food, and even tipped employees don't need $15.  Pretty ridiculous.  However, when you speak of the skilled labor trades, I know exactly what you are speaking of.  When I ran the tile crew, I started green newbies at $10, guys with some experience at $12.  Guys that could cut the muster, usually ended up around $15.  A rare few, that were hard workers and skilled individuals, I rose up as high as $18-$20.

Then, when the banks crashed, construction went down, I began my new career in Surveying at $15.  I worked that wage for 2 1/2 years, before they raised me up to $20.  Since then, I get the regular 4% raise each year (they copy NC DOT).  Now, I will be eligible to test for State Licensing after the 11th of August (my apprenticeship time will be completed), and that will lead to a serious raise (should I pass).

However, the point I wanted to make is that I understand how it is to be on both sides of the employer/employee wage scenario.  And let me tell you, I worked all the variety of minimum wage jobs, as a teenager.  And I can also say that none of those jobs is worth the same wage that folks are working their tails off for, to earn double the federal minimum.