Wages For The American Worker Essay - 2526 Words

Honest Wages for The American Worker Congratulations, you are hired! The four words that people long to hear. However, for many newly employed workers, their new job will not pay an income that will enable them to live comfortably. In 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 2.6 million Americans, or approximately 3.3 percent of all hourly paid workers earned wages at, or below the federal minimum wage. Since 2009, the federal minimum wage amount has remained stagnant. Bringing this number to a level that is consistent with the cost of living is a basic right for every wage earning American. Raising the minimum wage enables working people to live above the poverty line. Although opposition states that raising the wage will increase unemployment, the increase would actually reduce the number of persons receiving food stamps, stimulate the economy, in addition to reducing income inequality. According to a Washington Post-ABC news poll, two-thirds of Americans say the minimum wage should be increased. In 2015, protests by low wage workers garnered media attention and captured the nation’s attention. Workers exposed the low wage paying practices by several big-name corporations. These companies included Macy’s, Sears and Walmart in addition to fast-food outlets Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s and Subway. Pressure is building on Congress to raise the amount, nevertheless this is not the first time Congress has wrestled with this subject. The Fair Labor Standards Act was aShow MoreRelatedThe Minimum Wage Must Benefit Millions Of American Workers989 Words   |  4 Pagescent minimum wage, and a 40 hour work week for many professions, but nowadays, the minimum wage has fallen well behind the cost of living and fallen behind inflation. Forcing states to have minimum wages based on their cost of living, would put billions more dollars into the economy and signi ficantly boost the salary of millions of people. It’s hard to talk about minimum wage without somebody saying that raising it will ruin the economy, but this is a myth, raising the minimum wage would benefitRead MoreMinimum Wage1535 Words   |  7 Pagesminimum wage level has been a controversy over its insufficient wages set for working class Americans. The minimum wage was established to protect unskilled workers from being exploited by employers’ low pay. Introducing the minimum wage provided stabilization in the workplace, but as the cost of living increases, working Americans are demanding a livable wage. In the recent past, the American dream fadedness changed the way Americans view the economy. For many wageworkers, the American dream isRead MoreThe American Dream By James Truslow Adams1500 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Dream is the sole reason that millions of people decided to come to this country, whether it be generations ago, or last week. But even so, this shared dream faces problems. To solve the p roblem, the American Dream has to be defined. James Truslow Adams, author of the 1931 book The Epic of America, was the first person to mention and therefore define the American Dream. He established it as: â€Å"[T]hat dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, withRead MoreShould Minimum Wage Be Raised?1337 Words   |  6 Pagesdisgrace that millions of full-time workers are living in poverty and millions more are forced to work two or three jobs just to pay their bills† (Wolf 1). Sanders has said this frequently and is referring to the drastic amount of Americans who are currently struggling, despite already having a job. The issue of whether or not to raise the minimum wage in America has been a widely discussed topic for years. Minimum wage refers to the smallest amount of money a worker can legally be paid in the U.S. ItRead MoreAmerica s Potential, And Rising Above The Gathering Storm1749 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"draining† the most talented and skilled workers from other countries in order to gain an advantage on a global stage. In order for the U.S. to remain a leader in innovation and STEM education, the issue of H1-B vi sas needs to be addressed. Critics of the STEM movement argue that H1-B visas are a means for companies to obtain workers at lower costs than American workers. According to John Miano, legal research expert on the impacts of foreign labor on technology workers, H-1B visas allow U.S companies toRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Must Be Raised Essay1700 Words   |  7 Pageslife of many Americans is one day on repeat. We wake up, prepare for our day, and then head off to our jobs that never seem to pay enough for our living needs. No matter how hard the average worker works, he/she can’t seem to make ends meet. Why is this? It would be logical that these hard working Americans that spend day after day at their job would be thriving; however, in most cases, it is the opposite. Despite the amount of time and effort that goes into a daily job, these workers are making minimumRead MoreMinimum Wage, And Unemployment1673 Words   |  7 PagesMinimum Wage Hikes and Unemployment Many fast food workers and minimum wage employees have been protesting recently, in hopes of increasing the federal minimum wage. States such as Seattle, that have already increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and California, that has approved a bill that will change the minimum wage to $13 per hour in 2017, have already jumped on board with the movement. President Obama and many other protesters around the country who are fighting for the increase in theRead More The Immigration and Job Loss Debate Essays1170 Words   |  5 Pagesthese jobs away from American workers. I look at it as jobs they are left with, not ones they are taking. The debate always shows an American family that has been displaced or lost their livelihood because they can no longer compete with cheaper labor. In reality the jobs that the immigrants get are the most undesirable, strenuous and dangerous ones. The only American workers that they compete with are the unskilled ones. I intend to explore if immig rants taking American jobs, if they are onlyRead MoreThe rise and fall of Labor Unions1545 Words   |  7 Pagesunions Labor union is an organized association of workers, in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests. During the industrial revolution in Europe there was a rise in new workers without representation in the workplace. In the 19th century the industrial revolution spread to the United States from Europe, this resulted in the economy shifting to manufacturing from agriculture as an economic importance. American societies were increasing in population as well asRead MoreMinimum Wage And The Wage1176 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream is that all citizens can fulfill their potential through hard work and perseverance. Many Americans work long hours under the belief that they are fulfilling their social contract. Yet, even lengthy work weeks at minimum wage can be insufficient to provide for life’s necessities. Many minimum wage workers must supplement their income with taxpayer-funded federal assistance programs in addition to working beyond the standard 40 hour work week. There is an economical and ethical