Member-only story
The New Minimum Wage and the Consumer
Get ready for a lower quality service
At age 16, I scored what was considered a good summer job for a high school student on summer break. I became the chair boy at Westbury Beach Club.
“You don’t have to tip the boys,” offered the cheapskate owner to his club members. “They’re taken care of.” Thanks, boss. That $1.50 per hour minimum wage you pay us will no doubt be adequate to pay the rent and feed the family.
Years ago, the theory was that not all employment was expected to be work with which the employee could support a family. Some jobs were perfect for students, wives, and newcomers to the workforce who needed to help — but not support — a family.
That has apparently changed in today’s world. Anybody who works full time should be able to make enough money to support that family.
I’m not going to agree or disagree with the proposed minimum wage of $15 per hour. My mission is to point out how this will affect the consumer — and not the worker.
A significant percentage of people working minimum wage jobs are in food service. And specifically, fast food service. So assuming the federal minimum wage is raised, what’s…
