McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a rise

JC Callender · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
They are laughing at the taxpayers for supplementing the wages of their staff. Yes...I think work exchange programs are a good idea, especially in areas of shortages. No one should get a hand out for doing nothing..but those who are truly trying, should receive a hand up such as an increase in minimum wage. Working for entitlement benefits builds a work ethic and self esteem and all companies should consider it. Even with all of the expenses you listed, McD's is still killing it in profits.

They are killing it in profits, but what's wrong with that, they have one of the best business plans ever devised, there should be a reward. Btw, I posed a question in an earlier post...if wages are raised to $15/hr, do you believe the workers should be forced to take on more responsibility, such as management duties, weird hours, make advertising/marketing decisions, etc...?

And in my opinion, I don't think most are laughing at the taxpayers either, look at all of the taxes they're paying.

Also, I'm glad you believe in people working for entitlements, and I agree with you that it could build work ethic and self esteem.

Mason66 · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
It doesn't work like that...for the one person making 15.00 per hour....there are 25 or more customers spending 15-20 per transaction.
So the true and simple ratio...15.00 per hour: 375.00 in sales for the hour. They are still making a great profit based on volume. I do agree, the Unions were a big part of pushing jobs overseas...but by doing that...look what happened to our middle class. Overall, their reasoning to earn greater profits hurt the US gravely. Even tho, the wages of the auto workers were inflated, they were able to spend more money...they built nice houses, were able to buy cars for their kids sweet 16 birthdays and many industries benefited from it. Today, a new auto worker for Ford starts at 13.00 per hour..but you notice the price of cars have not gone down...and are more expensive than ever. I was in sales in the 80's and burned through a lot of cars...I used to pay cash for them and drove them till they died. I paid cash for a Pontiac Fiero...3500.00 (1987) brand new out the door, today that car would be 20,000.

You are claiming you bought a new Fiero in 1987 for $3500.00 cash?

Is that right?

Mason66 · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
This is partly true...so since these company's and CEO's are American...do they have any responsibility to the overall financial health of the folks who work for them...or is it ok to you..that the CEO's and stockholders are living much larger today...enjoying the fruits of this wonderful country..while screwing over the ones who put them where they are? A mistake was made with the Unions and their extortion of wages..but even with that..are we better off today with lower wages and high profits. I could see your point..if these companies were struggling, but they are not and much better off than they were before. So, to you, the best solution was to move the companies into other countries...and screw Americans? This is as unpatriotic as it comes.

Are you asking if the CEO of a company is responsible for the financial health of it's employees?

Do you really want that to happen?

Should an employee get permission from the CEO of the company he works for if he wants to buy a new car?

Mason66 · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

ludin said:
we are told tough luck. that is my problem I make good money now, but if the burger flipped makes 15 an hour no one is going to give me a 60% increase in pay and my job is way more difficult requires travel and a whole bunch of other things.

I will get the same pay increase as I always get.

But it seems the lowest common denominator is what is important now, and all others can suck eggs.

This is a road with a dead end coming very soon.

Mason66 · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
The folks who work at places like McD's, might have had a good job at one time...but lost it during the recession and off shoring. We also have seniors working at these places too...because they lost a big portion of their retirement during the Bush Administration and now forced to work at Walmart or fast food. I admire the folks who swallow their pride and take a job like this after earning a good middle class wage...at least they are paying their way. Nothing wrong with a honest days work. The part that bothers me...they can't live on less than 8 dollars per hour and the taxpayers supplement their wages while the upper crust of the company laughs about it. This should bother any tax payer. Then when these companies start to get nervous about minimum wage hikes..they threaten their customers with higher prices...making us supplement these wages again. I earn a very good wage...I also pay 36% in taxes...but I could care less if someone less fortunate earns more..it is no skin off my nose at all. Anyone with a degree in business, can see when more money is circulated, the better the economy. Higher wages equal more spending power and everyone benefits...right down to the Mom and Pop shop who sells ice cream.

Why should fast food restaurants or a retail store change their economic model because this happened?

Mason66 · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Dittohead not! said:
A $15 an hour worker costs a lot more than $15 an hour. That's one of the problems with paying people more. It's $15 + SS + workman's comp + Medicare, and, if they're full time, + medical insurance. Often, you have to add in sick leave along with other sorts of leaves.

Now, if the worker is worth $20 or $25 an hour, that' OK. If they're only worth $10, then the employer has a problem, which is generally solved by hiring fewer workers in one way or another, or by hiring illegal labor.

Does anybody know with the increase to $15.00 just how much extra the employee would actually keep in his pocket considering he will have to start paying local, state and federal income taxes?

clownboy · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nicci said:
FUD, larger towns generally pay more for the same position.

Not for minimum wage jobs they don't. C'mon, you're just throwing excuse after excuse as to why you didn't avail yourself of the mobility we have in this country.

Nicci said:
I can tell you from personal experience you'd be wrong. I'm glad you got the help to move, but making things up is just silly. There is a reason a lot of the fly over states are called "economic black holes" its hard to escape them without assistance. Be it college acceptance or a job offer from another state. That is why mobility is a luxury.

Wow, and right after I told you I made the majority of those moves on my own. For most of them I didn't even have family support, or friends (a bit of a loner when I was young). And no, the "flyover states" are only called that by those who are arrogant idiots of the coasts, and no one refers to them as "economic black holes", except for you maybe in order to make your argument. People move on a wing and a prayer all the time. Never been to LA have you?

ocean515 · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
It doesn't work like that...for the one person making 15.00 per hour....there are 25 or more customers spending 15-20 per transaction.
So the true and simple ratio...15.00 per hour: 375.00 in sales for the hour. They are still making a great profit based on volume. I do agree, the Unions were a big part of pushing jobs overseas...but by doing that...look what happened to our middle class. Overall, their reasoning to earn greater profits hurt the US gravely. Even tho, the wages of the auto workers were inflated, they were able to spend more money...they built nice houses, were able to buy cars for their kids sweet 16 birthdays and many industries benefited from it. Today, a new auto worker for Ford starts at 13.00 per hour..but you notice the price of cars have not gone down...and are more expensive than ever. I was in sales in the 80's and burned through a lot of cars...I used to pay cash for them and drove them till they died. I paid cash for a Pontiac Fiero...3500.00 (1987) brand new out the door, today that car would be 20,000.

A new hire at Ford makes $13/hr?

Hardly.

Wage increases for Entry-Level workers add to their base pay | UAW

As to prices, do you have any idea how much it costs Ford to meet all the government mandates?

clownboy · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
I am not sure where you work...but the CEO approves the operating budget and salaries are part of that. They determine what the annual increases will be.

Yes, that's nice. But again CEOs have a legal duty to the shareholders, not the employees.

Nursmate · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

ocean515 said:
A new hire at Ford makes $13/hr?

Hardly.

Wage increases for Entry-Level workers add to their base pay | UAW

View attachment 67184612

As to prices, do you have any idea how much it costs Ford to meet all the government mandates?

Actually the chart is uplifting and good news. I only based my starting figure on what people have told me. I have students who work for Ford locally and a few neighbors. I wonder if the UAW sets those wages on cost of living in the different States and those figures are averaged.

GhostlyJoe · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

I wish we could stop arguing from caricature:

Here's what federal minimum wage looks like in our country.

Here's what low-wage work looks like ($10,10 and hour or less):

Those stats should punch a big hole in the caricature of only pimply-faced teens and morons working minimum-wage jobs. As you move up the scale from federal minimum wage to average minimum wage to "low" wage, you see the stats trend older and more educated. These are stats that just can't be waived away with

With these protests, what I see are low-paid workers fighting for a better life for themselves using whatever leverage they have -- the same way everyone else extracts wealth from the economy.

ocean515 · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
Actually the chart is uplifting and good news. I only based my starting figure on what people have told me. I have students who work for Ford locally and a few neighbors. I wonder if the UAW sets those wages on cost of living in the different States and those figures are averaged.

Perhaps the UAW website I got the information from would answer the question. Also, the UAW contract with GM, and I believe Ford, also stipulates that UAW members laid off when the companies downsized are entitled to first hire. The number of actual new hires is rather small in comparison to those who chose to return to work when jobs opened up.

One other thing, and GM, the UAW is working to eliminate the two tier pay structure they agreed to in order to receive the bailouts.

Some things never change.

JC Callender · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

GhostlyJoe said:
I wish we could stop arguing from caricature:

Here's what federal minimum wage looks like in our country.

Here's what low-wage work looks like ($10,10 and hour or less):

Those stats should punch a big hole in the caricature of only pimply-faced teens and morons working minimum-wage jobs. As you move up the scale from federal minimum wage to average minimum wage to "low" wage, you see the stats trend older and more educated. These are stats that just can't be waived away with

With these protests, what I see are low-paid workers fighting for a better life for themselves using whatever leverage they have -- the same way everyone else extracts wealth from the economy.

Can you prove that an older person with more schooling can make hamburgers more efficiently than the younger people or seniors?

ludin · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

countryboy said:
How can this be? We're always told that modern liberalism is all about fairness.

I have found that fairness is highly subjective.

GhostlyJoe · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

JC Callender said:
Can you prove that an older person with more schooling can make hamburgers more efficiently than the younger people or seniors?

No need to prove such a thing. I worked at McDonald's for years. It requires no specialized skills, but it involves intense, focused physical labor -- sometimes its quite dangerous. Wages simply haven't kept up in aggregate for decades, so these workers are wise to use apply upward pressure on compensation. It's overdue.

JC Callender · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

GhostlyJoe said:
No need to prove such a thing. I worked at McDonald's for years. It requires no specialized skills, but it involves intense, focused physical labor -- sometimes its quite dangerous. Wages simply haven't kept up in aggregate for decades, so these workers are wise to use apply upward pressure on compensation. It's overdue.

I worked fast food as well and I wouldn't consider it intense labor and I certainly wouldn't considerate it dangerous for anyone with common sense. It's a very basic job that just about anyone could do...it's set up that way. The perfect job for teenagers and seniors.

GhostlyJoe · May 22, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

JC Callender said:
I worked fast food as well and I wouldn't consider it intense labor and I certainly wouldn't considerate it dangerous for anyone with common sense. It's a very basic job that just about anyone could do...it's set up that way. The perfect job for teenagers and seniors.

One of my jobs at McDonald's was to change the grease, which involved draining the hot grease into a large metal bucket and carrying it across the kitchen, past the break room, out the back door, down a few concrete steps and across the parking lot the giant grease vat we called "Big Bertha." A couple years after I quit, a local high schooler was severely burned when he slipped while performing exactly that task. That's just one example. In my time there, I did everything from scrub the tile floor with a toothbrush, to mop up human blood from the lobby.

countryboy · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
Not really a liberal mindset..and you are deflecting the question. Retirements are a whole different subject and yes...they too hurt companies who are unionized. You seem to be glorifiying these companies who moved their operation to lower paying countries so the CEO's could get richer..and I just can't understand that mindset. It is a typical conservative mindset tho. You guys worship these folks as if they are gods and they would not give you a drink of water if you were dying of thirst. I just think the US is better than what we are doing with our middle class...the class that actually built this country to greatness and now the middle class is dying a slow death. You also complain of regulation...What regulation? We just saw a huge oil spill due to a Texas oil company not bringing their pipe line up to code. I would love not to pay for the services of the EPA...all they are is a government babysitter that the taxpayers pay for to ensure that these companies are doing the right thing. Why do they need to be told basic safety measures or even forced..after all they must be smart..they are earning into the millions. The nation was forced into regulation by greed. Don't you think we are better than China...a country who shuts down their expressways due to smog? or the fact you have to wear a mask to move about the city?

You definitely have a liberal mindset concerning this subject. Maybe you are more centrist when it comes to other subjects, time will tell. Welcome to the forum by the way.

First of all, I do not worship anyone, or anything, except the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I never even alluded to being on the side of overpaid CEOs, so please cut the crap. Nor am I glorifying them. You seem to be ignoring the fact that government regs and high taxes contribute just as much to jobs moving overseas as supposed "greed". I'm not just talking about EPA regulations, I'm talking about all of the onerous regulations and tax code issues which make running a business, especially a small business, very difficult (or, impossible in many cases). Did the regulations prevent the oil spill you mentioned? No, but they may have hampered other businesses who wouldn't have shirked their maintenance obligations. That's the trouble with modern liberalism, rather than enforce the laws against the law breakers, it seeks to punish everyone. Except, of course, libs doing the exact same things they deride conservatives for. Modern liberalism is the epitome of hypocrisy.

If the left and government are soooo in favor of the "middle class", then why is it, the policies they craft always hurt the poor and middle class most?

Also, when did I ever say I was in favor of smog? :roll:

countryboy · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Mason66 said:
I meant they are worth $15.00 total, not an hour.

Oh, lol. Sorry about that. :mrgreen:

Ikari · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
The folks who work at places like McD's, might have had a good job at one time...but lost it during the recession and off shoring. We also have seniors working at these places too...because they lost a big portion of their retirement during the Bush Administration and now forced to work at Walmart or fast food. I admire the folks who swallow their pride and take a job like this after earning a good middle class wage...at least they are paying their way. Nothing wrong with a honest days work. The part that bothers me...they can't live on less than 8 dollars per hour and the taxpayers supplement their wages while the upper crust of the company laughs about it. This should bother any tax payer. Then when these companies start to get nervous about minimum wage hikes..they threaten their customers with higher prices...making us supplement these wages again. I earn a very good wage...I also pay 36% in taxes...but I could care less if someone less fortunate earns more..it is no skin off my nose at all. Anyone with a degree in business, can see when more money is circulated, the better the economy. Higher wages equal more spending power and everyone benefits...right down to the Mom and Pop shop who sells ice cream.

Inflation just keeps up and the cost of wage increases will be reflected in the cost of the product to the consumer. Anyone with a degree in business can see that.

Dittohead not! · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Mason66 said:
Does anybody know with the increase to $15.00 just how much extra the employee would actually keep in his pocket considering he will have to start paying local, state and federal income taxes?

It depends on the individual situation, but certainly far short of $15.

Dittohead not! · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Mason66 said:
You are claiming you bought a new Fiero in 1987 for $3500.00 cash?

Is that right?

I wondered about that.
A new car for $3,500 back in the early '70s would be about right, but in 1987, after OPEC and runaway inflation?

So, I looked it up and found this:

The 1986 Fiero GT, which at $12,999 cost nearly $4,000 more than the base model, came standard with the high-output, 140hp, 2.8-liter V-6 and dual exhausts, a Muncie-built Getrag five-speed manual transmission, staggered-width 15-inch diamond-spoke alloy wheels hiding four-wheel power disc brakes, an AM/FM/cassette stereo and a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. The GT cost $13,489 in 1987. Major alterations arrived in 1988 when the Fiero's front and rear suspensions were substantially upgraded, all brake discs were vented and the $13,999 GT's V-6 engine received an internally balanced crankshaft for greater smoothness.

Nursmate · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Dittohead not! said:
I wondered about that.
A new car for $3,500 back in the early '70s would be about right, but in 1987, after OPEC and runaway inflation?

So, I looked it up and found this:

I had my Dad with me when I bought it with a trade in. He was magical with car salesman and taught me everything I know about haggling with them. I think it was a 86 because I bought a Mark Cross Lebaron in 1988 convertible used for 8800.00 which I paid cash for as well. The Pontiac...tho is looked like a sports car was a piece of junk..it only had a four cylinder and could barely get out of the way of itself. I was fresh out of college and driving about 500 miles per week in sales....I roasted through a lot of cars in the 80's and back then, once a car reached 70-100 thousand miles they turned into rattle traps. The Mustang I traded in for the Pontiac was a piece of crap too.

Dittohead not! · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Nursmate said:
I had my Dad with me when I bought it with a trade in. He was magical with car salesman and taught me everything I know about haggling with them. I think it was a 86 because I bought a Mark Cross Lebaron in 1988 convertible used for 8800.00 which I paid cash for as well. The Pontiac...tho is looked like a sports car was a piece of junk..it only had a four cylinder and could barely get out of the way of itself. I was fresh out of college and driving about 500 miles per week in sales....I roasted through a lot of cars in the 80's and back then, once a car reached 70-100 thousand miles they turned into rattle traps. The Mustang I traded in for the Pontiac was a piece of crap too.

Should have gone with Honda. My '90 Accord went well over 200,000 miles.

rabbitcaebannog · May 23, 2015

Re: McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a ris

Here is the real issue

We’re here to tell McDonald’s and its shareholders to invest in the company and its workers instead of wealthy hedge fund managers and executives,”

Which doesn't just stop at low wage jobs for those who stick their nose in the air, or heads in the sand. This is the new reality for mid wage and even professional jobs including those so called 'elusive' jobs in the STEM field. Maybe, if we include those jobs in the discussion too, people will address the issue trying to be made.

McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a rise

JC Callender

Mason66

Mason66

Mason66

Mason66

Mason66

clownboy

ocean515

clownboy

Nursmate

GhostlyJoe

ocean515

JC Callender

ludin

GhostlyJoe

JC Callender

GhostlyJoe

countryboy

countryboy

Ikari

Dittohead not!

master political analyst

Dittohead not!

master political analyst

Nursmate

Dittohead not!

master political analyst

rabbitcaebannog

McDonald's boss says he's "proud" of wages as thousands of workers call for a rise

master political analyst

master political analyst

master political analyst

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency