Hang on DJ for a sec. Jelun, matching taxes exist and generally accepted multiplier is 1.25. They're called 941 taxes. I didn't create it, it just is. Whether you acknowledge it or not, it's still an expense employers have to deal with. In my business it's pretty close to that figure. I'll concede mixing the fast food industry and the publicity re: the protests. I'll stay on point with the $10 ph Walmart increase. For any similar job it sounds reasonable, but I don't want it commanded. Let me add my employees all possess skills you cannot hire off the street.
Now DJ, to your executive compensation question it's kind of like trying to comprehend one billion dollars. I can't visualize it. If some company (GM)pays their CEO 40 million a year, I could fake it for a year. I have no idea what qualifies one person to command that kind of money. I'm absolutely convinced I will never buy another new car again because in my mind the value isn't there anymore. I'm paying for a whole bunch of money to feed that guy and many others that aren't worth my money. Different reasons, same result. I protest with my wallet. We might get further in this discussion if we also agree to keep it to privately owned enterprises including a McDonalds franchise.
Not to be disagreeable pennylynn, but having to scroll through miles of re-quotes to get to the replies is annoying to me. I'm pretty sure you'll never have to wonder what I'm responding to in my replies, much like the last one.
Sorry if that upsets you. I will admit it does seem to prevent to some extent thread hi-jacking.
I'm brand new, but let me see if I have this right.
You wrote in your first sentence of your third post here (I'm a noob too!)
"I AM NATIVE AMERICAN AND BLACK AND INDIAN, however, was adopted and raised Christian in the Black culture. I really want to know what your deep rooted hate of people that have been oppressed by White America all their existence after being forcibly brought here without any knowledge of the culture or language is based on."
And then: "I am open to reasonable dialogue."
As I said, I'm new here, just like you. So maybe I'm speaking out of turn.
You accuse me of being a white racist, and then ask me for reasonable dialogue. Is that how it works in your professed multi colored world? Really?
Unskilled for this discussion means never having worked in a typical Walmart job. Floor staff, stock person, cashier etc. Young (late teens, maybe the first job ever) displaced or underemployed from any other type of work, and seniors from any other type employment. You said $10, keeping up with inflation. I'll assume the same holds true for fast food workers. Correct me if you think I'm wrong. $10 for fast food.
Now let's give either or both the stated demand of $15 per hour, or an increase of 50%. Let's add employer matching taxes which using a commonly accepted multiplier of 1.25 means wages only is now $18.75 per hour X 30 hours means the worker went from costing the employer @ $12.50 per hr incl. employer matching to $18.75 per hour. or $375 up to $562.00 per 30 hours. A little shy of a $200 per week increase in pay. Nice raise.
In this reply, I need to tell you also that the only money available to pay these wages comes from the consumer, you and I. When we buy socks, that price is established using total expenses required to sell those socks. The same holds true for that Big Mac and fries. Reply and let me know you're with me so far.
DJrich, congratulations. I've been lurking for some weeks now watching the arguments and you (and a few others) compelled me to register. Well done!
That being said let me ask an honest question. What would you consider an honest starting wage for an unskilled (in retail) Walmart employee? This person is going to work the typical job and for discussion sake works 30 hours per week.
eta: Actually anyone can chime in here, but DJ brought it up.