I think that's a good point. I'm not sure what to do with it as yet, other than to say I think part of the reason these jobs earn so little is that they -- and those who do them -- have so little respect, but I'd be willing to bet there's some feedback loop here where the low wages only further reinforce the existing feeling.
I think that's a good point. I'm not sure what to do with it as yet, other than to say I think part of the reason these jobs earn so little is that they -- and those who do them -- have so little respect, but I'd be willing to bet there's some feedback loop here where the low wages only further reinforce the existing feeling.
I struggle within myself as to what constitutes fair wages for work, and what we "owe" people for their labor. I think we owe a living wage; but where that line is drawn is unclear to me. I've seen the $15 / hour wage often cited, but naturally this is *heavily* influenced by geography; San Francisco and NYC don't carry $15 and hour very far, but in some more rural areas in, say, North Carolina it may be enough to own a home.
Just for one example, a warehouse worker typically earns less than $15; they clock in around $12 or so (and varies roughly between $10 and $15 depending on the state). (data from here: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Warehouse-Worker-Salary)
So IMO, should we pay warehouse workers more? Yep. How much more? I'm really not sure. But based on what I hear from a lot of warehouse managers (I work for a company related to supply chain), it's *really* hard right now to hire more people, so you'd think wages should be going up.
As it happens I myself live in NC :) you’re absolutely right that cost of living varies enormously. But even in our area (the Triad), when my husband (who has a four year degree) worked as a police officer we were barley making ends meet (I eventually became a stay at home mom because the cost of childcare vs what I earned in a white collar office job wasn’t worth it. I believe he was earning about $30,000 a year. We didn’t use credit cards, we didn’t have car payments, and it was still a struggle. I’m a big fan of the child credit and other basic support measures on top of higher minimum wage precisely because of what you mentioned above.
I think that's a good point. I'm not sure what to do with it as yet, other than to say I think part of the reason these jobs earn so little is that they -- and those who do them -- have so little respect, but I'd be willing to bet there's some feedback loop here where the low wages only further reinforce the existing feeling.
I struggle within myself as to what constitutes fair wages for work, and what we "owe" people for their labor. I think we owe a living wage; but where that line is drawn is unclear to me. I've seen the $15 / hour wage often cited, but naturally this is *heavily* influenced by geography; San Francisco and NYC don't carry $15 and hour very far, but in some more rural areas in, say, North Carolina it may be enough to own a home.
Just for one example, a warehouse worker typically earns less than $15; they clock in around $12 or so (and varies roughly between $10 and $15 depending on the state). (data from here: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Warehouse-Worker-Salary)
So IMO, should we pay warehouse workers more? Yep. How much more? I'm really not sure. But based on what I hear from a lot of warehouse managers (I work for a company related to supply chain), it's *really* hard right now to hire more people, so you'd think wages should be going up.
As it happens I myself live in NC :) you’re absolutely right that cost of living varies enormously. But even in our area (the Triad), when my husband (who has a four year degree) worked as a police officer we were barley making ends meet (I eventually became a stay at home mom because the cost of childcare vs what I earned in a white collar office job wasn’t worth it. I believe he was earning about $30,000 a year. We didn’t use credit cards, we didn’t have car payments, and it was still a struggle. I’m a big fan of the child credit and other basic support measures on top of higher minimum wage precisely because of what you mentioned above.