Here is a snapshot of what's wrong with the economy.

a reply to: toysforadults

That's what happens when socialist's cater to big corporations,drive the little guy out of buisness,so the corporations control the wages,the rich get richer and the working man survives another day

I am in one of the cheapest places to live in Pennsylvania

a reply to: ADUB77

There is opportunity out there if you work hard enough tonget it.

My position is thst basic survival shouldn't become so competitive thst you have to dedicate your entire life to it with no children or social life

a reply to: Gothmog

It is WAY more than one company. Most all companies are shedding the veteran experienced worker for cheap inexperienced just outta school rookies. They work cheaper. Much cheaper. And are expendable any time.

You're right -- And this isn't a new thing. It's been going forever. Back in the early 80's, my dad was laid off about two years before he would have been eligible to retire with full pension, etc. After working at this corporation for over 30 years. They gave him a severance package that was a pittance of what he should have received upon retirement.

And the real kicker? After laying off him (and many others) to hire younger and cheaper labor, they had to call him (and the many others) back to work piece-rate because the rookies didn't know what they were doing. My dad told them where to shove it.

originally posted by: toysforadults
a reply to: seasonal

I hate it when you are so logical it forces me to do mental gymnastics so I can feel good about fighting against people making better wages and it's to late for gymnastics

I want everyone to be able to have a (hate the term) living wage. This means earning enough without taxpayer subsidizing corporate wages to afford an average living. And that makes me do mental gymnastics too because I don't like telling people what to do with their money but I don't like giving profitable corps tax money.

Costs are hidden and this allows the hidden costs to get out of control. That includes the low wages that get taxpayer money to raise it so we do not have starving mobs burning the place to ground.

originally posted by: hopenotfeariswhatweneed
$50 a week you have got be kidding, so could you break down how one should spend that 7 dollars a day and how it will impact their health, I'm assuming you budgeted for medical needs when you crunched those numbers...

I could, prior to this job I had spend the previous decade living on $200 or less for a food budget each month. Sometimes $100. I'm also not a great cook. Solid foods would usually be frozen dinner, tea to drink. Otherwise crock pot soups and stews. It's doable, but a lot of what you eat will be unhealthy. This is actually the biggest change I noticed in lifestyle when I got my current job. I started eating really well, and eating much healthier alternatives which makes me feel way better.

Medical needs are a bit different because coverage varies from state to state. But generally at that income range it's either Medicare/Medicaid or nothing.

originally posted by: hopenotfeariswhatweneed
How do landlords make money and pay for repairs if they only charge 450 a month inc bills for an apartment that size, that's like 400m2 that's massive.

Because they didn't pay much for the property in the first place. Very nice homes go for $100k, a home like mine is (house split into duplex apartments) would be around $50k. Rent each half for $450/month while the mortgage is $200 and you've got quite a bit extra coming in.

a reply to: toysforadults

Hopefully, home and stock prices crash.

That might put less pressure on businesses to increase wages.

a reply to: InachMarbank

I'm hoping everyone's retirement get's wiped out.

That will send a wakeup call to the, "work hard son" types who think we have a free market system and tons of opportunity for everyone begging for them around every corner.

You know, like 100 million Americans are just to lazy to want to be engineers and we don't need all the wonderful goods and services that make our country kind of a nice place to live types.

Just because they are offering $13 doesn't mean that the right person won't make $20 or more. Like the welder opening take a test do 2 welds pays $18 - $30 and hour depending on your skills. So a guy does his 2 welds and hands them to the interviewer and the interviewer wants to know why one looks crappy and the other is perfect. Well that's $18 and the perfect one's $30.

a reply to: mikell

apparently you have no never worked at a warehouse

they don't promote they hire laterally

a reply to: toysforadults

ok but it also depends on what product they make and how intensive is the quality control protocols? it could be you just sit in a chair and watch items roll by on a conveyer belt, through an insoection machine, and if a red light and buzzer goes off, take the item off the conveyer belt. And the item could be rubber dog doodoo.

On the other hand, it could be a pharmaceutical company, inspecting medications given to infant cancer patients, and it requires a state of the art knowledge on the latest medical journals in order to detect a discrepancy in the chemical compounds when viewed under a sub zero electron microscope which can only be operated in deep space, away from all interference, at least 50 light years away from the nearest electron.

But yeah I get what you are saying. Cost of living goes up. Paycheck stays the same. After 30-40 years of this, the people can only take so much...

Can each millionaire+ live without one extra house, yacht, huge plot of land, etc? Yes of course they would be just fine. I know whos not getting their fair share for amount of worm done, and it's not the regular joes. I guess they assume they will be able to just hire more security guards when the people begin The Purge. I guess they forgot just who they count on to protect them.

a reply to: toysforadults

Not just too lazy to be engineers...

Lots of opportunities for door to door salespeople. And UBER drivers... Stuff like that... You can get some ok bank there...

originally posted by: CainHarmbank
a reply to: toysforadults

Not just too lazy to be engineers...

Lots of opportunities for door to door salespeople. And UBER drivers... Stuff like that... You can get some ok bank there...

Wait... so, you mean... The American Dream is still alive?

CEEEEEELLLABRATION TIME!! COME ON!!!

a reply to: toysforadults

IMO, quality assurance is real management of a production (or service)

a reply to: CainHarmbank

I agree but that means they would have to pay someone.

$13 an hour? I know janitors that make $16.

originally posted by: BELIEVERpriest
a reply to: toysforadults

So then the problem is cost of living, not the $13/hour lead position. Simple fix. Dismantle draconian federal/state regulations, snip the red tape, and reform taxes to a flat rate consumer tax, and you pocket more money while the cost of rent, groceries, and utilities drops.

To all my friends who keep saying we need higher minimum wages I keep telling them that a minimum wage increase is merely a band-aid when the true problem is the rising inflation which devalues our dollar. EVERYTHING is more expensive than it was just several years ago, and the housing crisis in places like California are sucking our wallets dry. But as you said, this is mostly due to red take and strangling regulations on building.

My point though here is that these positions are lead positions (not technically supervisors but it's like a junior supervisory position). You would think typically that someone performing a leadership roll as a QA inspector or in the receiving department carry a small amount of responsibility and are important to the over all mission of the company.

If you go to salary sites, you will see that the position you are talking about makes on average, between around $12.50 and go up to $37.00 (based on experience). The very first one I looked up on Indeed went for almost 18 bucks an hour. So.. I guess it depends on where he is, and how much experience he has. Perhaps more training? Better location?

But yea, there is an issue with salary right now. Salary is not keeping up with inflation - cost of living goes up, wages remain stagnant. CEOs reap the benefits, their workers not so much. After the recovery from the last recession, instead of passing along the benefits.. Presidents, CEOs, etc.. just kept it. Bigger bonuses and salaries from the top spots.

So yup.. there is a problem. But you can still make it even with that problem - location, experience, how hard you work, your certs, etc.. all matter. If your friend is stuck at the low-end of salary for that position.. that isn't a state of anything other than his ability to change his situation.

From personal experience - I was stuck in IT being absorbed by larger companies from some 15 years. My salary went up the standard 3.5 to 4% if you were outstanding, barely keeping up with cost of living increases. Then I said screw it.. changed jobs and took a risk (twice).. worked my ass off for 7 years. Raises were no less than 9%.. most were around 12 to 15%. It was stressful as hell, but I worked hard, didn't settle, and it paid off. I recommend your friend switch companies.. get further certifications.. move.. do whatever it takes. Obviously he is not at the standard pay for that job.

a reply to: toysforadults

#, I'm quality control at my factory and I got 10 an hour when I moved to that position. I started as a machine operator making 8.30 an hour.
Supervisors for the machine ops make 12 an hour.
The vp of the company makes 25 an hour.