LOS ANGELES — The nation’s second-largest city voted on Tuesday to increase its minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020, in what is perhaps the most significant victory so far in the national push to raise the minimum wage.
via Los Angeles Raises Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour – NYTimes.com.
The average teacher salary in Los Angeles area is $49,259. The national average is $45,486. Now in LA and in other places the lowest level unskilled job will pay $31,200. There used to be a difference between these jobs of $34,175 now the difference will be $18,059. That is called compression and one wonders what teachers think about being paid much closer to their peers flipping burgers. 😎 The average McDonalds store manager makes about $45,000 while their lowest paid, least skilled worker will earn $31,200; $15.00 vs $21.63. A ratio of 1:44
I don’t buy the idea that raising the minimum wage will cost jobs as opponents believe. However, proponents underestimate the trickle up effect. If we keep putting upward pressure on pay from the lowest skilled jobs, other wages, consumer prices and state taxes, especially property taxes, will also increase.
Don’t think the upward pressure on wages is lost of the proponents of $15.00 an hour, especially the unions.
There is no free lunch.
While we get caught up in the euphoria of paying $15.00 an hour for unskilled and low skilled work, we have lost sight of exactly who does those jobs and for how long and what portion of the American workforce earns a minimum wage.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Obama will certainly need to make an announcement quickly, which may aid to get those practical educated fencing
sitters (sheeple) to realize the truth.
LikeLike
Good points. But teachers salaries should not be compared to minimum wage workers who have to rely on subsidies to make ends meet. I doubt if that is the case for a teacher.
LikeLike
No it’s not the case for a teacher, but if you were a well educated professional you would likely expect a significant pay differential between you and the guy asking if you want to supersize your order.
LikeLike
The unions are pushing for the increase – but want to exempt companies whose employees are members of a union:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/minimum-wage-for-thee-but-not-for-me-say-l.a.-unions/article/2565320?utm_campaign=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest&utm_source=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest%20-%2006/01/15&utm_medium=email
LikeLike
Slowly over the next 6 months, people will be let go from fast food places, smaller restaurants etc.
LikeLike
Prrhaps, but employers still need workers and given all employers are in the same boat, I’m betting prices just go up thereby giving the workers little net gain. The absurd part was they insisted on not counting tips toward the $15.00 minimum as the federal law does. That is counterproductive.
LikeLike
The biggest problem is the name. It should have been named entry level wage. After that your work ethic makes or breaks you.
LikeLike
Good point! Nobody should be staying in those jobs for any length of time.
LikeLike