Salvatore Balbones asks in his article for Truthout.org - "Is $15 an Hour a Fair Wage for Serving Fast Food?" And then answers his own question, "In a word: YES." And I agree. Actually, the minimum wage in general should be at least $15 an hour for everyone at this time. As Salvatore Balbones writes:
"If the minimum wage had risen in line with overall economic growth since 1978, it would now be somewhere between $13 and $18 an hour, depending on which national income data are used. The strikers' demand of $15 sits comfortably in the middle of this range.....Fast food pay of $15 an hour would also be in line with fast food industry pay in countries like Australia, where the industry minimum of AU $17.98 an hour is equivalent to US $16.38 at current exchange rates."
However, I also believe a $15 wage should also coincide with the appropriate training.
Just this morning, before leaving a nearby McDonald's, a lady was yelling and complaining about something. I overheard her saying, "I come here EVERY day!" Because I was already at the door exiting, I couldn't hear the other words that were said, but I did clearly hear the McDonald's employee say, "I don't care."
Not exactly the most professional reply.
Several months ago, at a certain Popeyes. I patiently waited at the counter almost 10 minutes while several employees walked back and forth in front of me without any acknowledgment. Finally, an unkempt portly young woman, with noticeable tattoos, waddled over to take my order. Without apologizing for the wait, and displaying all the enthusiasm and demeanor of someone who just crawled out of bed with a hangover, she took my order. She then hands the receipt to me with an outstretched arm while looking off in a different direction. Did I annoy her for expecting her to actually do her job?
Anyone with common sense or who has had any professional training will know all the problems with the aforementioned fast food employees above. Such lack of professionalism is often the result of poor training and/or poor management. If a wage of $15 an hour for fast food service is not too much to expect, then certified professional training and attitude should likewise be an integral part of the equation. For although it may not take a great amount of "professional" training to learn to flip burgers, learning a little something about customer service, resolving disputes, or something as simple as having a professional appearance, should also not be too much to expect.
For Salvatore Balbones's full article click here:
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