RE: PAY APPROPRIATE WAGES
Oct. 29
In response to David Rutherford's letter regarding "living wages," I would ask Rutherford when the last time was that he worked for minimum wage?
My husband and I make significantly more than the minimum wage, and this has entitled us to a modest starter home, a five-year-old car, and the ability to pay our bills every month. Hardly ludicrous luxuries. Considering this, I can sympathize with the struggles of those on the poverty line (i.e., minimum-wage workers), and where we were not too long ago as young newlyweds and struggling students.
I applaud the bakery in question for taking care of its employees, and would like to point out that this is not simply an altruistic "redistribution of wealth" but a smart business move. It is no secret that easing financial worries at home can make a job more rewarding and employees more productive; my husband and I have both in recent years moved up pay grids doing the same jobs as before, and are happier, more productive workers due to the appreciation of our contributions at work.
In the tough economic climate of today, it is not the time to turn on each other in a "survival of the fittest." Societies are judged by how we treat the least among us. I think it is unbecoming of us as humans to suggest that those who make a living serving the fortunate among us at our favourite restaurants and tallying up our consumer goods at local stores are working any less hard than the rest of us, or are any less deserving of the ability to have a roof over their heads and food on their families' tables.
Sarah Daigen
Kitchener
2 comments:
Hmmm...I'm just guessing here, but you're probably not a fan of Atlas Shrugged are you...? :)
My rebuttal is in The Record this morning. I've addressed the main point you missed there.
In general though, your philosophy is more than a little backward...people are deserving of the wage they earn for the job they do and how they do it...not based on what what they deserve to purchase - whether that's a house, baby food, or a Hummer.
Do you give a 50% tip to every waiter at every restaurant?
Thanks, though for responding. I wish more people would take issue with what impassions them.
Hi Dave - thanks for posting and replying! As much as we may disagree I always respect people w/opinions, who believe enough in them to get them out their, attach their names to them, and discuss them. :)
I totally get your point from the perspective of 'if you are in a worthless job, get a better one'. I guess I just also think that's easier said than done - I watch my hubby with an MA who works at a call centre and applies for better job after better job and I think - that's not his value or lack thereof, that's luck. And at that point, is someone who won the lottery more entitled to it than an intelligent 27 year old man who put himself through school?
And in that sense, taking it back down to the basic argument again, what about the waiter/waitress/store clerk working minimum, who COULD do better but couldn't afford an education? And who DOES work hard at a job you and I would find pretty valuable when we're patronizing that restaurant or store? It's not 'what can they afford' but 'what can they earn' - my argument is that they SHOULD be able to earn more.
And I guess at the end of the day right, in a free market, you get what you pay for. And if that bakery owner is willing to pay, to get better and more productive help, then he has that right, and I applaud him for recognizing that basic business concept.
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