Workers deserve to earn a living wage

There is a lot of debate these days concerning the minimum wage. Some say we should raise it; others say that would eliminate jobs and drive up prices. A more meaningful debate would be to ask, what is the value of work? Is the job essential to the operation? Can other employees do it in addition to their main duties? It seems to me if a job is essential, it should pay something close to a living wage.

Take a look at the fast-food industry where much of this discussion is centered. Look at all those people who work hard cooking, serving customers and constantly cleaning up after messy patrons. It is not only hard work, but it is vital to the operation. Some argue that these are jobs for teenagers not breadwinners. The truth is many people who have lost good jobs, due to our government’s bad decisions, find themselves working these jobs in a losing battle to survive.

These employers can’t justify paying essential workers anything close to a living wage, but they have no problem justifying a multimillion-dollar salary to the CEO.

Ron Flowers

Elk Grove Village