FIFTEEN DOLLARS AN HOUR FOR FAST FOOD WORKERS? THERE WERE STRIKES AND PROTESTS AROUND THE COUNTRY ON THURSDAY STAGED BY EMPLOYEES WANTING A DOUBLING OF THE MINIMUM WAGE. CAROL WIGHT, C-E-O OF THE NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, SAYS EVEN SUPPORTERS OF THE MOVE PROBABLY BELIEVE THAT FIGURE IS A BIT HIGH.
BUT WIGHT SAYS PROPOSING A 15 DOLLAR MINIMUM WAGE IS A GREAT NEGOTIATING POINT, SHE SAYS EVEN IF YOU SCALE IT BACK HALFWAY, THE GAIN IS STILL SIGNIFICANT FOR MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS.
WIGHT SAYS SUCH AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE WOULD LEAD TO HIGHER PRICES AND JOB LOSSES. SHE ALSO SAYS THE MINIMUM WAGE WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE A LIVING WAGE…BUT MERELY A STARTING SALARY.
