TKC LABOR DAY SPECIAL!!! KANSAS CITY FAIR WAGE FIGHTERS LEADING LOCAL EFFORT FOR MISSOURI BLUE WAVE MIDTERM MINIMUM WAGE HIKE VOTE!!!
First a message from home grown Kansas City activists who argue that present day labor struggles are the crest of the upcoming "blue wave" which threatens to shift the balance of power across the nation . . .
StandUpKC: "This #LaborDay, let’s celebrate the #UNION solution! Right now, our nation is plagued by record levels of economic inequality. WE DO THE WORK AND CORPORATE REAPS THE PROFIT! It’s the working class that produces the wealth of #America, but the 1% gets rich while we struggle to get by. IT’S TIME TO UNIONIZE!!! #FightFor15
Now . . . The important part . . .
Critics are waiting for robots and new tech to eliminate low end laborers and that progress is steady but still slow when compared with the masses of broke-ass workers on the low end of the pay scale looking for any way up the ladder.
Meanwhile, the decision on statewide mandated higher wages is HERE & NOW, just weeks away and unions are coming off a big right to work victory and looking for another triumph to reestablish their influence.
A few more things to consider . . .
Prez Trump has flip-flopped all over the place on this issue but generally he's in support of higher wages for workers and companies doing it voluntarily. The reality: Don't expect a populist candidate to provide much help in suppressing already stagnant wages.
Again, it's worth repeating that MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES HAVE ALREADY WON IN THE TWO BIGGEST CITIES IN MISSOURI. STL has voted TWICE on this topic and a higher wage prevailed. Kansas City voters also approved a minimum wage spike . . . Both times Missouri law prevented the increases from taking hold and politicos like Mayor Sly quickly retreated and backed off their support when the debate got thick.
AG Hawley says raising the minimum wage is "probably a good idea" and he's too TERRIFIED to speak out strongly on the November ballot decision and risk his chances as a contender against Sen. Claire. Translation: Biz Leaders have no "standard bearer" on this issue. Asking the AG to champion this issue is a non-starter given that he can barely be bothered to run his own campaign.
And so . . .
As we drill down into the local issues that will power the November show down . . . What we can see is KANSAS CITY PRO LABOR AND HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE FORCES FLEXING and powering an economic issue that actually has greater implications for American life beyond petty political bickering.
Check The Links:
MIC: The fight to increase minimum wage will be a midterm election issue, the Poor People’s Campaign says
KTTS: Efforts To Raise Missouri's Minimum Wage On Ballot In November General Election
STL: Labor leaders and other social activists in Missouri are focusing on the issue this November — and proponents are hoping to generate the same enthusiasm that opponents of Proposition A demonstrated in August, when voters drubbed the right-to-work measure by a 2-to-1 margin.
SLNL: Raise Missouri's minimum wage to boost businesses
Fox4: No Prop A means a happier Labor Day for unions in Missouri
KSHB: Why do we celebrate Labor Day?
PBS: Missouri’s blue-city, red-state divide over minimum wage
Developing . . .
It won KC last time, it will win again. I don't see the rural areas coming out big against this one. Have you been to rural Missouri? Most of the jobs there are fast food. $15 an hour would help them more than anybody.
ReplyDeleteBetter title for this one TK: $10 Happy Meal Coming Soon.
DeleteHawley has been weak all around and VERY wimpy on this issue. Is anybody really going to come out and vote for the guy when he doesn't seem to stand for anything and it seems like the guy just wants to build his resume. Seems like a lot of the Trump voters don't have a reason to come out this time around. Voting against Claire is fine but why vote against your own grandkids, too?
Delete^^^^^^^^^^^ Wrong, wrong, wrong. Don't be such a political hack about this one. People can pick and choose on their ballot. A vote against Claire and for Prop B is probably the stronger choice for a lot of people who love their unions but hate the liberal agenda in D.C., don't try to lock voters in, it never works.
ReplyDeleteAnd THAT is how Missouri turned socialist. Vote against this junk and against junky Hillary II Claire McCaskill.
DeleteF U Grandpappy. You were always a scab and now you're just being silly. No grilled chicken for you today.
DeleteIt's an incredibly stupid idea that ignores basic economics. Companies, particularly small businesses, can't just pull more money out of thin air to give away. The adjustment has to come from somewhere. Free Shit Army doesn't understand this, though.
ReplyDelete8:22 it won’t win and the hood Is ten times worse than rural Missouri, you’re an idiot to believe rural Missouri is nothing but poor people, you obviously believe everything that loser Hillary told you, I can’t believe your that stupid.
ReplyDelete^^Your that stupid? It’s you’re moron. I can’t believe you’re that stupid.
DeleteGrammar bitch
DeleteYes, proper grammar. Especially when you’re calling some else stupid. Copy that dick-licker?
Deletewith the strong economy, wages are going up and they should.
ReplyDeletebusinesses can't hire enough people because of the good economy.
because of that, and some justifiable questions of basic fairness, it's hard to be against a higher minimum wage.
maybe young, first-time, workers should get less, however, to give businesses an incentive to bring them into the work force.
The problem is that in a free market, workers do not determine the value of their labor. The market does this. Fairness has zero to do with it.
DeleteEven if artificial adjustments are made to wages, the market will adjust in other areas. Labor is the most expensive cost in business, and businesses will adjust to lower that cost. More will be expected of fewer workers, more basic functions will be automated, and so on.
Sorry, it's not as simple as gibmesdat.
Flippy the burger flipping robot. Affordable, never whines or complains.
ReplyDelete@ 908 is correct. In business, and I know none of these protesters have an econ degree, there is a cost of doing business. If the bottom line of the business shows that labor costs are too high the business will adjust. That may mean layoffs or a technology solution (kiosk's) or closing the business. Then who is the winner? Certainly not the uneducated hamburger slinger. No one wins is labor costs skyrocket but the business loses money because patrons (customers) won't pay higher prices but will go elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteIn our area if Kansas and Missouri don't have a similar minimum wage businesses that can will migrate to the lower cost and yes profitable location.
ReplyDeleteDemocrat greedy union slob honchos spent $16 Million of their members' dues to keep their scam going against Prop A.
How much will they put into this scam?
dammit, we've got to bring the young people at the bottom into the work force.
ReplyDeleteto not do that is very corrosive to the whole societal balance.
so maybe those new entrants get subsidized beyond their pure economic productive worth. long-term, it'll be a win for society and capitalism.
That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, what are you a student at umkc? Effing moron
ReplyDeleteEverybody lookout! The “you’re” spelling queen is back and very angry again! Hahahahahaha!
ReplyDeleteYep. Learn to spell, or get of the blog. Copy that dick-licker? Hahahahahahahaha!
DeleteQueenie gets very mad when he gets his arse handed to him, sounds like bLIEron to me
ReplyDeleteWhat some employers will do to come out ahead is hire better employees who are possibly more skilled, better educated with better work ethics. So let’s say you have two workers who are unskilled workers costing you $30 an hour in wages but you could hire a skilled worker who will produce more for $18 to $20 an hour, which is your smarter choice as a business owner? Making minimum wages to high will simply force those who do the hiring to look harder at whom they hire and how many hours a week they will be given. There will always be unskilled workers and unskilled jobs but will there always be a place in the workforce for unskilled workers if wages get to high to support their output? Sometimes what might look good isn't what is the idea solution to the problem. If unskilled workers think they are entitled to more money an hour shouldn't a skilled worker be entitled to a 40% or more raise per hour as well? Then the cost of everything goes up and we are right back to where we started from. Goods cost to much and people not making enough to buy or afford them.
ReplyDeleteTheir very angry at they're fellow citizens trying to spell you're correctly. There just jealous they can't spell to.
ReplyDelete10:30 Very funny!
ReplyDeleteAs conservative, who appreciates the incredible convenience of Amazon's shopping experience, and dislikes Bezo's liberal politics, I nevertheless resent the wealthiest man in the world paying his employees at a rate requiring many of them to seek government assistance to live modestly. Ditto Walmart's owners.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I would hope more young people awaken to the fact a marketable skill is the way to avoid the plight described in the article. While in school, LEARN A SKILL AN EMPLOYER WILL PAY FOR. College isn't the cure all. Gender studies, et al, doesn't pay for shit. Just on the news this week, construction companies are blaming delays on their inability to find enough high paying jobs such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers etc.
As usual everyone wants a handout. Minimum wage was never designed to be a living wage. It was meant to make sure employees wern't just slaves. Someone wants more than minimum wage, get a skill, or education and find a job that pays more. Allow small business to thrive with moderate labor cost.
ReplyDelete^^Exploiting minimum wage workers has been a proven path to prosperity for the one over the many.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a country where the President uses Labor Day to attack a labor leader because he didn't feel like he was being sufficiently loved, & workers are making 1976 wages & CEO's are paid millions a year.
I no longer believe in democracy.
I no longer believe in unions.
Only revolution will bring about the systemic changes that are needed.
You have nothing to lose, because you have nothing.
Oh man, I remember freshman poli sci. :)
DeleteThis raises the barrier to start a small business and perpetuates the big business system. Say you're a guy (or girl) wanting to start a lawn care biz or something from the ground up. You'll need at least one or two employees. You've saved for years to have enough money to start your own company and you've worked the budget and it's tight but doable. All of a sudden your costs raise $400 bucks a week because of a mandatory minimum wage hike. So, you cannot start your small business after all and those two additional jobs will not have ever been created. This is how society loses
ReplyDelete10:30, you will still be singing that same old revolution song when you're a wizened old codger sitting in a low rent nursing home with a hammer and sickle blanket over your lap. Give it a rest, get a job, have a life.
ReplyDeleteOK, let's just say that Missouri raises min wage to $15. Everybody's happy right? WRONG. The cost of the most basic items like food, clothing, gas, shelter all are raised to accommodate the new min wage. No one gets ahead...EXCEPT...now the unions with skilled workers go to company owners and stock holders and want raises to keep them a certain percentage above the min wage. That again raises the cost of F, C, G & S. Minimum wage workers now fall further behind than before. They get screwed and the unions did it to them and yet the min wagers did it to themselves also.
ReplyDeleteplease give every word it's correct spelling, its a matter of principal.
ReplyDeletebecause if you use word's wrong, your not going to get a good job and accumulate principle.
Hey, you lawyers need to be back in the office.
ReplyDeleteFair wage wins in Missouri.
ReplyDeleteHawley Loses.
Trump is out by Christmas.
You did this to yourself Republicans. You should have acted with more principal.
Poor baby, you’re so delusional, if you could only see how stupid you are, you’re embarrassing yourself........ again
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny how people attack the unions when they do what simpletons like socialists and the progressives won’t do, and that’s fight for everything they get, lazy worthless scum want it handed to them.
ReplyDeleteCEOs on average make 360 times more than the lowest paid employees. Business can afford to pay a higher minimum wage. If they are worried about passing on higher cost, there is one internal position that can take a pay cut without suffering too much.
ReplyDeleteEspecially since Trump's tax scheme was specifically designed to get wage increases for everyone anyway.
Maybe if the tax plan really worked, we wouldn't need pay higher minimum wage. Hmmmm...
Nope. This is what you don't understand. Businesses don't run that way, especially small businesses that would really get hurt by this dumb idea.
DeleteYour airy speculation about snipping some internal person's job to pay for it is classic liberal cluelessness. You don't interfere with one part of the economic system without effects elsewhere.
8:30 is right, but keep in mind he is really describing Trump's tariffs and their impact on the economy.
ReplyDeleteTaco Bell will install self serve kiosks in all stores in 2019.
ReplyDeleteMcDonald's already has them in many locations. Expect Wendy's, Burger King etc to follow. You don't suppose it's because of the increased minimum wage?
The amount CEOs make is trotted out all the time to justify minimum wage but 95 percent of employers in the country are small, mid sized businesses and LLCs where the CEO doesn't make anything close to that. There's a characteristic of some fat cat smoking cigars getting rich off the backs or workers but reality doesn't bear this out
ReplyDeleteLLC don't exist to hire people. They are shell companies to hold assets and run offsetting expenses.
ReplyDeleteTrump's real estate deals are held in hundreds of LLCs.
Corporate flight departments are LLCs.
They fall into the small business category for tax breaks in the current code.
Those businesses also get "hurt" by minimum wage increases? Yeah right.
Increase the cost of the labor with the least value, you not only devalue higher quality labor, you deincentivize ambition and success.
DeleteGiveaways aren't free. Monkey with labor costs, you fundamentally disrupt the labor market.
Gibsmedat will happily kill the goose that lays the golden eggs though. :)
I thought the economy was going great. Record growth. A tax cut to give everyone raises.
ReplyDeleteNow they can't afford it? What happened? They lied?
Don't be childish. Yes, things are going well. Labor is becoming more valuable on its own as unemployment drops and companies seek labor. Skilled and unskilled.
DeleteThat's a free market working. And it does.
^^^ Then why is income still stagnant? Real wages are falling now.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to think these corporate tax cuts creating stock buybacks aren't leading to higher wages.
Don't piss on our legs and tell us it's raining.
I'm not here to argue with your silly partisan talking points. This is always true: demand for labor rises in conditions of low unemployment. In any economy.
DeleteThe comments from the MAGA crowd that claim to support the working class & the forgotten man prove again they don't really give a shit.
ReplyDeleteFuck workers if they want a union. Fuck workers if they want an increase in the minimum wage.
Apparently only rich people deserve a raise. That's been the problem for the last 40 years. It's not the solution.
This whole MAGA love of the working class is a joke. Workers aren't asking for freebies or welfare. They are working and need proper compensation which helps the economy much more than another tax cut for stockholders.
Since they aren't helping workers, it sounds more and more like MAGA folks are really in it only for the racism. Let's not monkey up this economy.
Ah yes, always listening for the wolf-whistles, even when they're not there. This is what the brainless prog-left has: shrill hysteria in place of a basic knowledge of economics.
DeleteNo refutation, of course, because there is none. In the proggie mind the state is the overwhelming, problem-solving Santa with endless deep pockets.
Sorry, the economy isn't like asking mom and dad for more money. Once again, for remediation: that money has to come from somewhere. You raise wages artificially, businesses will move to cut labor costs, union or no union.
A higher minimum wage is absolutely asking for free shit. You think it's going to help the economy when employers have to scramble to meet the unrealistic demands of unskilled laborers? Welcome to robots, kiosks, and mandatory overtime. Again, this isn't asking for another hit of daddy's endless checkbook. Intervention of this kind always comes with consequences.
What helps the economy is people wanting to achieve and do better than minimum wage, not sit and demand an unrealistic premium for labor.
This is just the way free market works, in Trump's economy or any economy. Sorry to step on your Trump hatin' crusade there.
Learn a little something about economics.