Minimum wage debate

[*Wyche'sWarrior*]

(03-04-2019, 08:51 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I get it, there are some professions that just don't pay nearly what they are worth.  I discovered the example that you just mentioned, when I used to serve as a volunteer fire fighter.

However, some trades are in such serious need that there are programs paying tuition, and giving job placement for apprenticeship, while going to night school.  My brother-in-law, up in Ohio, found one of those programs.  He's working/studying HVAC.  Job started at $14.50/hr with full insurance after 90 days, plus paid tuition to Lima Technical College.  He's still with it, a year later, and has gotten two raises along the way.

That is just one example, for sure.  The program he stumbled on had about 5 options, and HVAC was the one that appealed to him, most.

He better be glad he doesn't live in a right to work state.  There were similar benefits here, then they did away with scale pay, next was salaried employees making a "floor wage", or being paid OT accordingly, and now there is little to offer over 10 bucks and hour, and you pay any necessary education.  Not only is not good for those that choose to stay here, but it is obviously running skilled, competent tradesmen to states like Ohio.

I don't get the belief in that way of doing things.....stupid if you ask me.  The program you refer to is not only an investment in people, but it's an investment for the community as a whole with competent tradesmen.  Trades are an excellent way to support yourself. Not to mention, how much money are you saving cutting 5 bucks off the pay when the workforce is so incompetent that you're always coming behind them and fixing mistakes?