Seattle and the minimum wage increase

[GMDino]

(07-21-2015, 01:31 PM)PhilHos Wrote: If you've not climbed the employment ladder by the time you die, that's your fault, IMO.

My first job was working at McDonald's for $3.15 an hour (minimum wage). I worked at McDonald's off and on for 3 more years. That was the last time I worked a minimum wage job. I went to college (but didn't graduate) and I ended up getting a degree from a business school (twice; 2 degrees from 2 different schools). And now I make about $5 / hour more than CT's minimum wage. And, I'm in a job that you don't go in for the money (people in my position typically don't make much but we know this going in).

While I pride myself on my intelligence (shut up, SCS), how I reached where I'm at didn't really take any special circumstances or special upbringing or skin color or anything like that. All it took was the desire and will to go out and get a better job. It may and most likely will take some time, but unless you WANT to work minimum wage and/or 3 jobs until you die, that's a small price to pay.

I followed much the same path...including three years at McDonalds.  A degree that allowed me to get a job within my studies and then gradually moving out of that business to where I am now over 7-8 years.

And now I've been at the same job for 18 years and make a decent salary plus commission.  But over the last few years new ownership has changed the commission and I'm making less than I was 5-6 years ago.  I'm not doing anything different.  Job responsibilities have increased but pay is lower. And if I lost my job tomorrow?  Walmart I guess?  Just to get by?  

You don't just start over somewhere at the same place you left off.  And at 45 can I make it back up before I die?  Or will I be let go at 60 for making too much when then can hire someone younger for a lot less.  Too many companies don't care about your experience as much as they care about how little they can get away with paying you in my experience.