Tag Archives: Wages

Stock Buybacks Instead of Employee Raises

Under the guise of improving and encouraging investments in our economy, federal legislation has made shareholders richer and richer. At the same time, the federal minimum wage and tipped-minimum wage have remained stagnant. The combination of these two policies has resulted in the weakening of American innovation. When Republicans lowered the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%, they did so under the promise that … Continue reading Stock Buybacks Instead of Employee Raises »

Tip Stealing: the Latest Attack on Low-wage Workers

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently proposed a new rule that would allow employers to take their workers’ tips, so long as they pay them the minimum wage. If finalized, this rule could cost workers $5.8 billion annually. For workers who rely on tips to make up the difference on their $2.13/hr wage, this would be an economic disaster. Women would be affected most, as … Continue reading Tip Stealing: the Latest Attack on Low-wage Workers »

Working People’s Day of Action

On February 24th, 2018 Chair Morris Pearl spoke at the Working People’s Day of Action rally in New York City. Below are his thoughts. I’m standing on the podium at the Working People’s Day of Action. It’s twenty minutes before call time and there are already at least a thousand people here. Hospital workers from local 1199. Teachers from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). … Continue reading Working People’s Day of Action »

We Don’t Need or Want an Underclass to Look Down On

One of the ills of American capitalism is the growing concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. At this very moment, the gap between rich and poor has never been wider, and it is only growing. As we are unable to even broach the discussion of maximum wages, we frequently argue over raising the minimum wage. These conversations quickly turn to ad hominems … Continue reading We Don’t Need or Want an Underclass to Look Down On »

Why is Legislation to Raise the Minimum Wage in Massachusetts Stalling?

A bill that could increase the wages of 29% of workers in Massachusetts has sat in committee for almost a year. The legislation, which was filed by Senator Ken Donnelly of Arlington, now deceased, and Representative Dan Donahue of Worcester, would increase the state’s minimum wage by $1 a year until it is $15/hr in 2021. At that point, it would be indexed to the … Continue reading Why is Legislation to Raise the Minimum Wage in Massachusetts Stalling? »

Does the New Tax Bill Provide More Incentives to Give Workers Raises… or Less?

Let’s talk about the incentives in the new tax bill for employers to raise workers pay. Here is a concrete example. Say I own a small bar where people come and drink beer after work.  Suppose I gross (on average) $1,000 per day in sales, the bartender gets paid $4,000 per month, I spend $10,000 per month on other fixed costs and $8,000 per month … Continue reading Does the New Tax Bill Provide More Incentives to Give Workers Raises… or Less? »

Abandoning America’s Workers, Starting at the Top

President Trump has nominated Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. owner Andrew Puzder to lead the Department of Labor for the next four years. Should Congress approve or reject this nomination? A brief look at the functions of the Department of Labor and Puzder’s background supplies the obvious answer: Puzder cannot become the Secretary of Labor. Congress established the federal Department of Labor in 1912. The legislation … Continue reading Abandoning America’s Workers, Starting at the Top »