Like several other \u201cworkers\u2019 paradise\u201d libidiot<\/i>-run cities, Washington DC recently raised its minimum wage substantially above the Federal minimum. In 2014, it was raised to $11.50 an hour \u2013 and there\u2019s been talk about raising it further soon, to $15 an hour. They’ve also instituted other mandatory benefits.<\/p>\n
So, things are rosy, right? This means the “little guy” minimum-wage workers in DC are all getting bigger average paychecks and living better?<\/p>\n
Well, some might be. But I\u2019m thinking this headline kinda gives us the \u201crest of the story\u201d:<\/p>\n
Looks more to me like employers are watching their bottom line \u2013 and as a result are paring hours to keep labor costs close to the same as before. If that’s the case, then that means that many entry-level workers are NOT are getting paid a whole lot more. Some may even be making less than they did before, albeit for less hours worked.<\/p>\n
Oh, and yes: prices generally did rise, too. So it\u2019s not just the little guys getting hours cut (or laid off) who are taking it in the shorts due to DC\u2019s minimum wage hike.<\/p>\n
Gee \u2013 who\u2019d have thunk it?<\/p>\n
Yes, that last was sarcasm. Anyone who has half a clue clue about economics could have predicted this.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"