Minimum Wage Debate

Over the past few years, the topic of raising minimum wage has been gaining increasing attention through both Government officials speaking their thoughts on it, and workers going on strike, demanding better pay. The thought that most of these workers share is that they should be able to make a living off of the salaries of their current minimum wage occupations, whether this be working at a fast-food restaurant or stocking shelves at local department stores. The workers of these small jobs in most cases are not able to upgrade their working status to a better paying position because of a lack of education or lack in the availability of a job they are qualified for. This issue has been buzzing around both the states’ senate and the national senate, with only a few states making current changes to their minimum wage laws.

Across the United States, there have been strikes and marches led by low-pay workers walking out on their jobs demanding a pay that they find fair. In this case, the fair wage they are exacting for is becoming known as the “…Fight for $15…” and is finding support from tens of thousands of workers. On Tuesday, November 10, all these workers took part in rallies planned for nearly 1,000 cities across the nation. This protest can also be seen locally, as written in an article from USA Today, “In Detroit, about 200 workers protested in the early-morning darkness as a cold rain fell outside a McDonald’s.” This issue is expanding and taking roots in a growing amount of cities and states begging for it to be addressed by the government. Some officials who are addressing this, however, are trying to get the workers to see another side of their argument. Such a radical increase in minimum wage could increase unemployment, conjointly encouraging employers to replace workers with technology where possible. The argument must be seen from two points of view.

The federal government has not made any national changes to the minimum wage in its current state, however, President Obama along with some of the 2016 presidential candidates have stated their opinions on the current matter, possibly hinting to what they may do if voted in office. In February 2014. Obama signed an executive order that would raise the minimum wage of federal contract workers to $10.10 an hour. Bernie Sanders, nonetheless, does not believe this bit of progress is adequate. Over the summer, Sanders took a direct approach to the matter, helping contract workers strike outside the U.S. Capitol. He strongly believes in the $15 minimum wage increase. As he says, “It is a national disgrace that millions of full-time workers are living in poverty and millions more are forced to work two or three jobs just to pay their bills.” He’s in support of the idea to propose a legislation to Congress to execute the $15 per hour national wage, “…as well as calling on President Barack Obama to issue an executive order that would reward companies with federal contracts if they agree to pay their workers $15 an hour, as well as allow them to unionize.” This proposition addresses the possibility of businesses refusing the new wage by trying to lure them with a compensation such as a federal contract. Although, this one incentive may not be enough to win over the minds of all businesses, it’s definitely a start.

At the state level, progress is certainly starting to make its way, as seen with New York. New York, as of November 10, 2015, became the first state to approve a $15 minimum wage. This new law is only in effect, however, for fast-food workers. Their salary will gradually increase where for New York City it will hit $15 in about three years, and for the rest of the state about six years. New York’s Governor Cuomo, the main man behind this impactful move, says “Every working man and woman in the state of New York deserves $15 an hour.” He also claims he is working on getting this salary passed for all industries in New York. Yet his new law is also causing a bit of conflict. As the Fox News article states, “Franchise owners… say the increase singles them out and gives an unfair advantage to mom-and-pop competitors that won’t have to raise wages.” For some of these owners, it could mean drastic price increases and also job losses in order to deal with higher wages.

All in all, opinions and viewpoints on this matter depend on the social status of the one who is looking at the subject. I personally do not believe in such a large increase in the minimum wage. The people who are earning wages around $15 and higher are those who worked to get where they are. There are always special cases, though, that can contradict each side of an argument. Not everyone is born with the same privileges as others. Also, just because I believe a $15 minimum wage change is too much does not mean I am not open to change. I believe a more reasonable change would be between $10 to $12. To get what one wants or needs they need to work. If someone is working at McDonald’s to make a living instead of finishing their education or putting in the effort to find and apply for a higher class job, they shouldn’t be as deserving of a higher wage compared to someone who has worked to get where they are.

I believe in the current minimum wage laws in Michigan .In early September, the minimum wage was increased from $7.40 to $8.15. This is the beginning of the gradual 25 percent increase of the minimum wage that will max out at $9.25 in 2018. This change is much smaller than New York’s current law and I believe to be much safer. Should there be a problem with the $15 minimum wage such as unemployment or inflation, they’ll be dealing with the full effect. With smaller changes such as that of which Michigan is implementing , there is much less risk for these types of problems. Therefore I believe Michigan is taking the proper steps to helping those who need or want their wages increased.