The Ranger wrote:

> On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 10:42:15 -0400, "Saerah"
> > wrote:
>
>>The Ranger wrote in message ...
>>
>>>On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 12:53:19 GMT, "Jack Schidt®" > wrote:
>>>
>>>>My remark wasn't in support of tipping a counterperson
>>>>but rather a response to the way $7 an hour was
>>>>presented as a kingly sum of money.
>>>>
>>>
>>>But it _is_ a nice wage, commensurate with the
>>>level of work required and (usually) the level of
>>>education said grunt has attained.
>>>
>>
>>i know quite a few people with college degrees who
>>are working in retail, making not much more.
>
>
> I did, too; right out of college. The same numbers were recruited
> for insurance sales, too; those companies would only _look_ at
> applicants with university degrees. In a buyer's market, the
> employer decides what he will, or will not, hire and the minimum
> requirements from said applicants.
>
>
>>>Graveyard and <Parentitis Flare-up on the other
>>>early-am shift title> get paid slightly more because
>>>of the hours needed but US$7.00 for simple counter
>>>help is quite high. Especially with today's cash registers;
>>>scan the item (or punch a specific key), punch in the
>>>amount tendered, and give back the correct change
>>>stated on the display. How much effort is required
>>>from that? Certainly not a BS in EE... You have to be
>>>able to breath or smile, usually not both simultaneously;
>>>that's a bonus but you don't pay extra for that.
>>>
>>
>>It's not a living wage. whats the point of paying people
>>at all if they can't live on what you pay them?
>
>
> That is _not_ the employer's problem. There are alternatives
> available, whether _you_ like them or not.
>
> The Ranger
Well, golly you're right, then it must be the employees' problem. So the
way to get better wages in this job, as you say, is up to them. They
could do something like, oh let's say band together and decide not to
work unless they got better pay. They could form a group and bargain
with the company. You're a genius!