Over the past few months I have gone back and forth about how I feel about a fifteen dollar minimum wage for Seattle employees.
On one end I ask why those of us that do not make fifteen dollars an hour chose to work for businesses that pay less than that? I have come to the conclusion that the majority of people that have jobs that pay less than fifteen dollars an hour would jump at the chance to apply for a job that paid more. In the food industry its very hard to find an entry level job that pays fifteen dollars. Most individuals in jobs that pay less than fifteen dollars, do so out of necessity.
If I had my choice I would not work for less than twenty dollars an hour. That wage expectation would leave me unemployed, as I have not seen one food industry job that I am qualified for that pays any where near that. Which means that I would not be able to provide anything for my family. Some employment is better than no employment. At the end of the day, there is a large portion of Seattle that lives day to day. One mistake, one sick day can have a family at risk of being evicted.
Some say go to culinary school, get certified, and put yourself in a position to demand more money. That sounds great, but when one is not generating enough money for necessity it is extremely hard, nearly impossible to think or initiate an action toward upward mobility. Lack of time for school, or entrepreneurship is also an issue that is usually neglected by critics of the fifteen dollar an hour wage increase.
The twenty two dollars that I used to attain a business license, took two meals off my families table. The decisions one has to make in order to move up with no guarantee of success puts poor people in a very tough position. Even those that have been taught and exposed to avenues that will allow them to have a comfortable life face difficult decisions.
I look at the importance of education and ask, am I not earning more money due to my lack of a degree? This thought process has led to many sleepless nights, as I was having trouble with the thought of knowing exactly how to get out of poverty, but not being able to afford it.
According to Experian, Seattle leads the nation with an average household debt of around $26,000. Im right around average. My thoughts go out to those Seattleites who are below average, and do not have the means to actually get themselves out of debt. I myself at my current wage can not get out of debt. In fact based on how much I make I go further in debt every month. I make $12.80 at my current job at the University of Washington. I actually took a pay cut in order to take advantage of the benefits. I learned very quickly that if you do not make a certain amount of money, you can not take advantage of the benefits that are offered. I cant put my kids on my insurance at my current wage. Excuse me I can, but that would leave me with even less money for everyday issues like bills and food.
Lets look at the numbers. As I said before I make $12.80 hourly, which is around $2048 monthly before taxes. After my monthly expenses of $2200, I am negative -$152 every month. Which adds up to around -$1824 in debt every year. If I made $15 an hour, I would make around $2400 a month. After my expenses of $2200, I would be left with $200 a month! That would be life changing. It would allow me to build my business buying a new piece of equipment ever month. It would allow me to start paying off my debt. It would allow me to sign my kids up for programs that are vital to their success both academically, and socially speaking. Although $200 dollars to some is nothing. To people like me it would truly be life changing. That’s potentially $2400 a year. At that point, I could save up, and take my family camping. The thought of moving up, and actually having the money to do so is a dream for all Americans. The problem is that there is only a small population in a position financially to live out that dream.
When you think about it this way, it’s just not fair. People shouldn’t have to be worrying about where they are going to find the money to make ends meet. They should have the money in their account in the first place, but unfortunately, this is not how the world works. I know a lot of people who have made the risky decision to invest any leftover money they have in areas like the stock market and cryptocurrency, both of which are growing in popularity. Cryptocurrency is a type of digital currency that can be passed from person to person without having to deal with a middleman. You can even decide to take part in bitcoin mining if you want to try and increase your finances further. All you need to do is look for something like this “Bitmain Antminer S17+ in stock” and a beginner’s guide, and you’ll be good to go.
Whilst this has been a lifeline for so many people, it actually makes me sad knowing that people have had to resort to utilizing other methods to have money in their accounts.
If a $15 an hour minimum wage was to be implemented for all workers in Seattle, the city would also have to implement money management workshops, in order to educate those who would benefit from the increase in wages. Not enough to give people more money. Have to educate them as well.
My only concern is the thought of people losing jobs as a result of a wage increase. Will businesses let go of workers if they have to increase wages in order to keep their profit margin from declining? I support a wage increase as long as it does not cause a significant decrease in employment.
I would like to encourage everyone faculty member to read the recent essay by one our student athletes.
Anthony writes about trying to live on the wage he is paid as a UW cook.
Anthony Washington was once described as the next big thing for Husky Basketball. With great PR in the Seattle media, young Anthony came from Garfield High with a 2.3! That Husky Basketabll career ended with an injury, a horrid education and a failed student athletic career. Conflicts with the UW coach and a sojourn in the underworld of international basketball left this bright man behind. He took a job here as a cook because it allowed him to take curses.
The UW failed. Despite that, Anthony takes full responsibility for his own life choices. The UW should read this man’s writings and see what an opportunity it lost. I wish “we” would see this story this as a “teaching opportunity” not just for African American students recruited as student athletes, but for the Athletic Department and for all of us who see a UW education as creating opportunity. .
My thinking about three issues is hugely affected by knowing Anthony.
1. Students like him, student athletes need a union. Whatever the administrations and coaches say, they do not represent the interests of these kids.
2. Focus on “diversity” rather than poverty is a mistake. All students from disadvantaged backgrounds need the kind of help the University of Texas offers at Austin. Encouraging any kid to slough off on his education because of some promise they will excel in pro sports is all too reminiscent of the treatment of gladiators or, for African American, slaves.
3. . The wages we pay UW workers are barbaric. Pope Francis has called this sort of wage “slavery.” The Pope said very simply , a fair wage should leave you enough left over to advance yourself. The UW needs to go to $15 NOW!