How is 'livable wage' defined?

I want to hear a concrete definition on what constitutes a 'livable wage'

 

Walmart workers make minimum wage without benefits, while the Walton family has a combined worth of more than 120 billion.

120 billion is a livable wage.

 

No they don't, they make above minimum wage and even part-time workers are benefit eligible.

As far as entry-level retail/food service jobs go, Walmart is one of the better paying ones.

 

Walmart workers have benefits. I worked there for 4 years. They are not just very good benefits.

 

At it's most basic definition, I would have to think a living wage is one that allows the person the ability to purchase the basic needs of survival. Things like food, shelter, and clothing. And yes, it would vary from area to area, as the cost of living varies from area to area.

 

"Living Wage Calculator"
http://livingwage.mit.edu/

 

My living wage according to that calculator would be $8.40. A few years ago the starting wage for part time Walmart employees was $8.70.

 

If you consider getting paid for your work as a benefit, then perhaps you have a point. And of course you can't get good benefits working at Walmart, all discretionary money and profits must be added to the mountain that the Walton family has. Like I said, 120 billion isn't a livable wage.

 

It goes up every day. The cost of groceries, for example, has has literally doubled on most items (or even tripled on many), over the last few years. So,whatever minimum wage was a few years back, I'd say doubling or tripling it would be about right. 12-15 dollars an hour?

 

Ben and Jerry's, who put their money where their mouth is, paid their Vermont workforce a liveable wage of $15.97 per hour last year. Why do less enlightened employers fall so far short?

 

Lol. and the cost of groceries won't be effected when gubberment mandates zit faced Johnny the Bag Boy be paid 15 bones an hour.

C'mon dude.

 

That is a possibility.

However, how will people deal with the large number of digruntled, hungry people that cannot (or will not) improve their lot in life when those people start causing bloody violence and rioting? Or at the very least, changing the laws to benefit them at the expense of businesses?

Why aren't they considering this a possibility and getting prepared?

 

Starting wage at walmsrt has never been 8.70 unless the state had a minimum wage that high. It was not until the federal wage rose to 7.25 that the Walmarts in Indiana started paying their workers more than 6.50.

My friend, who is married with 3 kids makes only 11 dollars at walmsrt, after working there for almost 10 years. His living wage is 21.43. according to the calculator.

And don't say he should just "find another job". There are no jobs outside of Walmart where we live. All the factories have been outsourced, and Walmart has put all of the other retail businesses out of business. Over 80% of the local population works at the Walmart. I was lucky enough to get in with one of the few factories left, but I only make about 8.00 an hour, but that is only 25 cents less than the 8.25 living wage that I have. But that is still not enough to live off of. I can't afford an aprtment on that.

 

Massaged reboot from the Walmart thread...thought I'd park it here, too.

Intellectually honest answers always appreciated....but not expected.

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"possibility" and "inevitability" cannot be confused.

 

So, if prices are going to go up no matter which outcome we choose, why should I choose the outcome that benefits the big businessman over myself?

Why is their greed okay, but not mine?

 

That money should go to the employees, who created the wealth while the Heirheads did nothing. Until we wake up to the cancer of hereditary privileges, we have nothing to discuss. The suckers who think cutting off these brats at age 18 is a LIBRUL!!! idea should ask themselves why the LIBRULS!!! never propose it. Because they are Heirheads themselves and think their Daddy's Money allows them to do good by crushing the majority that their Daddies had brought them up to feel superior to. Of course, there are wannabes on both the Left and the Right who hate their Daddies for not getting rich and spoiling them, which leads them into supporting this unearned wealth.

 

Well, how much is good for you? 3 bucks?

C'mon yourself dude. Get real.

 

Your friend should be humble that he's struggled with such little pay for so long to help the Walton family acquire their 120 billion dollar fortune.

120 billion isn't enough, maybe when they hit their goal of 500 billion (or 1 trillion? who knows!), they'll generously allow some of the money their company makes to funnel back into the wallets of their employees.

I mean, sure he could probably use a 5,000 or 10,000 year raise, but the Walton family needs that money more I think, at least for the time being. They only have 120 billion.

 

1.5 times minimum wage.

 

Good post. Remember though, the CEO needs 2000 times salary (or more) of the average worker. You're supposed to jump and bark for scraps and say thank you. Whether or not you can actually survive isn't important to the corporate conglomerate. It's all about THEIR profit.

 

Ding, ding, ding!

Just be quiet and keep working for piddlins' slave! You're not supposed to thrive....only provide for others to live in excess.

 

The no-talent brown-noses who got their jobs by sacrificing their personal lives and personalities should be outsourced by the American people after we outsource the outsourcing economic traitors. Those who tell us to "find another job" should find another country to live in. We don't need them and we don't need the rich. They are hiding behind bells and whistles like the Wizard of Oz.

 

Yes, don't forget to have your phone on 24/7 and "be available" (for nothing) and never mind that next round of labor cuts, and don't complain when you have to do everybody else's jobs and don't get a decent raise. It's important to remember that your corporate fat cat appreciates your continued efforts. Whether or not you have a life isn't relevant.

 

Being eligible and being able to afford it are two different things. Many workers cannot afford to pay the premiums because they have to choose which bills to pay like, rent, food, etc.

 

I paid some of my guys $20.00 an hour, and some of them $8.00 an hour....their compensation hinged COMPLETELY on their value to my business. The top paid guys could handle a job without my being on site, while the lower rungs required constant supervision, and couldn't do much more than demolition, clean up, and hand folks tools or materials.

Would you have me start them all at $20.00 and hour....regardless of their skill set or experience?...

What would the skilled and experienced guys say about some flunky making the same amount as they were?

do you think my "evil" profit margin was SO VAST I could pay a starting wage of $20.00, then hand out skill, experience, and seniority raises on top of that?

and last and most important, have YOU EVER OWNED A BUSINESS IN YOUR LIFE....other than an adolescent lemonade stand?