One Fair Wage noted that “tipped workers can still legally be paid as little as $2.13 an hour, a system advocates describe as a direct legacy of slavery.”
Over a third of US states are set to raise their minimum hourly wage in 2026, but worker advocates including Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday decried a federal minimum wage that’s remained at $7.25 since 2009—and just $2.13 an hour for tipped workers for over three decades.
Sanders (I-Vt.) said on social media on the eve of the hikes: “Congratulations to the 19 states raising the minimum wage in 2026. But let’s be clear: A $7.25 federal minimum wage is a national disgrace. No one who works full time should live in poverty. We must keep fighting to guarantee all workers a living wage—not starvation wages.”
Yannet Lathrop, NELP’s senior researcher and policy analyst, said earlier this month that “the upcoming minimum wage increases are incremental and won’t magically turn severely underpaid jobs into living-wage jobs, but they do offer a bit of relief at a time when every dollar matters for people.”
I’m honestly being serious. What jobs actually pay minimum wage? Positions that get tips don’t count. I’ve had a lot of different jobs over my life and I’ve never even seen an ad for something that pays $7.25. Fast food makes like $15. Retail makes $10-$12. Hotel attendants make about the same, but also get tips. Hell… literally last week talked to an actual teenager working in a grocery store stocking shelves and he said he makes $9.50, but he’ll me making a dollar more after 90 days. Anyone can EASILY get a job at any warehouse making $15- $18.
I get that these examples still aren’t great paychecks, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about $7.25 exactly. Who ACTUALLY pays that? I MIGHT believe some farm workers get minimum. But honestly how many workers are we talking about? And really, how many farms actually W-2 their employees? We all know those are cash jobs.
I agree that wages should be higher, but I think this is one of the last actual free market economy mechanics we have. McDonald’s was the quintessential minimum wage job forever but they got with the times and now what was almost a shameful job in the 90’s is a very respectable position.
So I want to fight for these workers. But WHO are we fighting for?
We need a maximum wage.
👆
Ever since Donvict 2.0, I’ve lost count of what could be called a “national disgrace”, since there are just so many of them.
I have also lost track of how many conversations I’ve had with people who make well into the six figures complaining about “giving” people more for minimum wage. I just don’t get it, and I know some of these people have had real shit jobs during high school, at least. This might make their sandwich or whatever some amount more expensive, but the people I’m talking about here can afford to dine out.
I guess some cling to the idea that “those jobs” are only for high school kids, even though they can just look around at things like service jobs and see with their own two eyes that it’s not just for high school kids. You might be - for some reason I cannot comprehend - offended by the idea of someone trying to support themselves on such jobs, but the fact of the matter is - people are doing that (or trying to), and it’s not because of some moral failing on their part.
Which brings the total to 50 states that don’t pay a livable minimum wage
And not a single executive order to fix it. By any president. Ever. Not even as a gesture.
tipped workers
Tell me you’re in slave labor without using the word “slave”
They’re low-key panhandlers.
By design. If conservatives had their way, there would be no wage and people would have to pay their bosses for basic necessities like air.
They should all live in their own state and see how it goes…
Many do and that’s what’s the fucked part.
I should’ve clarified. They should all live in one state :)
They’d kill each other before making any positive changes. Lol
Their final goal is the Company Town for all
Pretty much.
Wages are too low. Minimum should be over 15.
