What Life on Minimum Wage Actually Looks Like in 2016

[w0nderer]

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/35422-what-life-on-minimum-wage-actually-looks-like-in-2016


at (economy group)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/111676706

[Journeyman]

1. Excellent article. Nothing new, for those who follow the debate, but well presented . . .

An excellent piece to share with anyone unfamiliar with the problems inherent in minimum wage employment.

[NV Whino]

2. This part of the article struck me

In New York, under the old minimum wage system, $8.75 multiplied by 39 hours equaled $341.25 a week before taxes. Under the new minimum wage, $9.00 times 29 hours equals $261 a week. At a cap of 29 hours, the minimum wage would have to be raised to $11.77 just to get many workers back to the same level of take-home pay that I got in 2012, given the drop in hours due to the Affordable Care Act. Health insurance is important, but so is food.

In other words, a rise in the minimum wage is only half the battle; employees need enough hours of work to make a living.

Earlier in the article, he mentioned few minimum wage jobs offered paid sick leave. One change, national health care, would solve many other problems such as, more work hours per week with (possibly) paid sick leave, healthier employees because they could afford to get treatment when needed. Minimum wage raise is not even half the battle.