'I Can Barely Afford My Children's Shoes:' My Life As A McDonald's Worker

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/activism/i-can-barely-afford-my-childrens-shoes-my-life-mcdonalds-worker



“Each payday I choose, do I pay the light bill or do I pay the gas bill?” said Melinda Topel, a McDonald’s worker for 10 years in various cities. “Do I pay all of my rent or do I pay some of the rent and some for the lights? Do I pay a utility or do I buy food?”

Topel has to face difficult decisions like these on a daily basis. But she isn’t alone. She’s one of about four million fast-food employees nationwide struggling to survive on low-wage work. While fast-food corporations rake in billions each year, workers are paid the minimum wage or slightly above it. In turn, workers like Topel not only struggle with bills, but have to rely on public assistance. And like most fast-food workers, although she works full-time, Topel doesn’t receive any kind of benefits or paid sick days.

That’s why Topel and other fast-food workers across the country are fighting for a $15 per hour wage and a union.

“We deserve to go to work everyday and pay our bills like everyone else,” she said. “And our kids deserve new shoes or school supplies.… The CEOs of these multi-billion-dollar companies are putting the profits in their pockets — and we made them those profits… and it shouldn’t be like that.”

[KitSileya]

1. But doesn't she know that she needs to save a million for retirement?

She needs to automatically withdraw it before she gets the check. $10 a week will get her $15000 after 10 years, and so $250 withdrawn every week for 30 years will get her a million. After all, her situation isn't likely to change in the near future, so she should just face reality, and deal with the situation as it is. After all, if we don't tell her that, we're telling her to give up entirely.



(As read on DU this past week. Bleargh!)

[Orrex]

2. Obviously it's her fault for making poor investment decisions.

The most important thing is to scold her for failing to have more money.

[xchrom]

3. !

[riderinthestorm]

4. Tsk, she SHOULD just quit and get a govt job with bennies and a pension

And live at home with her parents.

Heard that too this week on DU

[Orrex]

5. Yeah! Why doesn't she retroactively work for the post office for 25 years?

Of course, the only post office positions currently hiring are seasonal-temp jobs for $9.00/hour with no benefits and no option to become permanent.

But that's her fault, too.