Goldstein’s examines how technology has pushed corporations
into cheapening the worker, to improve the marginal production of labor, and
increase their surplus value. This relates to the ‘Fight for $15’ campaign
because workers of fast food giants believe they are being cheated and taken
advantage of. In this post I will be reflecting on views of this issue.
Mike Rowe, star of the television series Dirty Jobs tells it
how it is when saying, “Stop looking for the “right” career, and start looking
for a job. Any job. Forget about what you like. Focus on what’s available. Get
yourself hired. Show up early. Stay late. Volunteer for the scut work. Become
indispensable.” I believe that people have a false entitlement when it comes to
job markets today. Fast-food workers believe that because companies like
McDonalds are multi-national corporations that they should pay them more. Yet
they are a business, they are out to make profits just like any other, just on
a much larger scale. The reason that fast food giants are able to pay their
workers low wages is because they automatized their operations so well that
nearly anyone can do it. This means that the supply of workers that they can
choose from is nearly unlimited. Viewpoints on this issue undoubtedly result
from issues in race, gender, and class.
For the middle and upper class, I can see why they would be
opposed to raising wages of fast food workers. As presented by Colbert in the
video below, where he says, “You understand that the extra 75 cents an hour is
pushed onto the consumer…” increased wages of the bottom line will affect the
purchasing power and costs of goods for all classes in America. Another point
that I would like to point out from the video is that the guest speaker,
Naquasia LeGrand, is only currently working 15 hours a week. She explains that
this is due to managers not allowing her to work more then that. To this I say
find another job completely if you are not happy with what you are given. This
may sound harsh, but as a full time college student who works also over 20
hours a week I believe she needs to change her career path. The Internet has
allowed easy access to finding new jobs, networking, and online schooling that
could easily land her a job in a different industry. If you look at Australia,
their minimum wage is currently around $15 dollars per hour, and at first
glance it looks like they are much more generation then America whose is around
$8 in most states. However, if you look at Australia’s cost of living, it is
much higher than in the U.S. this just an example of how changing the bottom
line has repercussions.
I do understand and feel for workers who are unable to make
a living wage. I just believe that if you are not happy with your
circumstances, especially in the work place, that you can always find ways to
change it. Technology will continue to take over low-skilled professions; it’s
just the unfortunate truth that comes with advancements in society and a
capitalistic marketplace.
Sources:
[1] http://www.lifebuzz.com/mike-rowe/
[2] http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/4g3c4f/naquasia-legrand
