Senate Democrats vow to block pay raises until minimum wage increased

[E-Nice]

Democrats vow to block pay raises until minimum wage increased



WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A week after the GOP-led Senate rejected an increase to the minimum wage, Senate Democrats on Tuesday vowed to block pay raises for members of Congress until the minimum wage is increased.

"We're going to do anything it takes to stop the congressional pay raise this year, and we're not going to settle for this year alone," Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said at a Capitol news conference.

"They can play all the games the want," Reid said derisively of the Republicans who control the chamber. "They can deal with gay marriage, estate tax, flag burning, all these issues and avoid issues like the prices of gasoline, sending your kid to college. But we're going to do everything to stop the congressional pay raise."

The minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. Democrats want to raise it to $7.25. During the past nine years, as Democrats have tried unsuccessfully to increase the minimum wage, members of Congress have voted to give themselves pay raises -- technically "cost of living increases" -- totaling $31,600, or more than $15 an hour for a 40-hour week, 52 weeks a year, according to the Congressional Research Service.

In floor debate last week Republicans argued the raise for low-income workers would hurt small businesses. They offered an alternative measure to raise the minimum wage that was tied to tax breaks for small businesses.

The main proposal fell eight votes short of the 60 it needed to pass with 46 opposing; the alternative measure mustered only 45 votes in favor, while 53 senators opposed.

Reid wouldn't spell out the specific tactics he would employ to block the congressional pay raise -- which is triggered each year with the passage of an appropriations bill not by a vote on a stand alone bill to increase pay for members.

But he warned, "I know procedure's around here fairly well."

[DataBass]

The minimum wage needs to be raised. Who the fuck can live off of $5.15 an hour?

[Nyteshade]

I just wonder what kind of jobs still pay minimum wage that aren't staffed by 16 yr olds.

[la dj]

Originally Posted by Nyteshade

I just wonder what kind of jobs still pay minimum wage that aren't staffed by 16 yr olds.

you'd be surprised

[Rufus Punk]

Originally Posted by la dj

you'd be surprised

Truth on the internet.

[Nyteshade]

Originally Posted by la dj

you'd be surprised

I'm just curious because the jobs I've held over the years that were minimum wage when I was 16 have all been starting out at $7+ now

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by Nyteshade

I'm just curious because the jobs I've held over the years that were minimum wage when I was 16 have all been starting out at $7+ now

We have 45 adult (with families and kids to take care of) full time employees here that only make minimum wage. Unskilled labor never pays well, most of them keep two jobs just to get by.

**side note** We were unable to find any locals willing to do the work so most of them are imported (legally) from Honduras.

[Dionysos]

The obvious solution here is to build a fence around E-brake's office.

[Darren Afrika-ka-ka]

at least the democrats are doing a good thing unlike those fucking retarded and spastic Republicans.

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by monocerosman

at least the democrats are doing a good thing unlike those fucking retarded and spastic Republicans.

Wait until the vote comes, right now you're counting your chickens.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by DataBass

The minimum wage needs to be raised. Who the fuck can live off of $5.15 an hour?

Indeed - grocery baggers should be able to raise a family on their wages.

Dems argue we have a labor shortage in this counrty and we need immigrants (legal or no) yet they'd say that employers who (according to Dem are desparate for labor that they need to bump their wages? Seems to me that they can't have it both ways.

Hello - supply and demand - when there is limited supply and high demand the result an increase in the value of the product - in this case the value of labor which eliminates the need for Congress to tinker with the market


in any event - how many jobs actually pay minimum? Aren't thise jobs we take to start building a resume and a skill set so that we can earn more? If the wage gets bumped to say $7.00 those very entry level job seekers will have greater competition from those with more skills blah blah blah

Originally Posted by Nyteshade

I just wonder what kind of jobs still pay minimum wage that aren't staffed by 16 yr olds.

Originally Posted by la dj

you'd be surprised

I would have to be

Originally Posted by e-brake

We have 45 adult (with families and kids to take care of) full time employees here that only make minimum wage. Unskilled labor never pays well, most of them keep two jobs just to get by.


**side note** We were unable to find any locals willing to do the work so most of them are imported (legally) from Honduras.

so then the issue isn't a shortage of available labor but a shortage of people willing to work for that reduced wage. But for immigratant taking lower paying jobs the employer would need to raise the wage in order to fill the jobs and thus the market would work without interference by the government.


What kind of unskilled labor btw?

[zerojunkie]

I have to say, I'm kinda impressed.

[e-brake]

Originally Posted by xian

so then the issue isn't a shortage of available labor but a shortage of people willing to work for that reduced wage. But for immigratant taking lower paying jobs the employer would need to raise the wage in order to fill the jobs and thus the market would work without interference by the government.

Its a little of both, there are not enough people in this area looking for work to fill the positions. If there were people to fill the positions there are other better paying jobs they would take first (Mc Donalds etc.).

Originally Posted by xian

What kind of unskilled labor btw?

We have a plastic molding plant to make all of our products on site. Basically its standing in an un-air conditioned warehouse placing little plastic parts into boxes for 8 hours a day. Pretty crappy work for anyone.

Due to competition from China we would have real problems if the minimum wage was increased. If they were forced to start paying more for labor the part cost would be to high to compete in the market and we would be forced to close the factory and move it to Mexico or China like everyone else has already done.