Why do wages fail at being fair?

A single mom’s struggle to make ends meet

TiAnna Yeldell, a 44-year-old single mom of three, works 80-hour weeks to provide for her children. She earns $9.50 an hour before tips as a driver for Pizza Hut and about $17 an hour cleaning trains for Houston’s Metro system. Despite her hard work, she barely scrapes by, with no days off and little to no savings.

A growing movement for change

About two-thirds of fast food workers are women, and many are supporting their families on minimum wages set at the federal government’s floor of $7.25 an hour. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the federal minimum wage is “very low,” but has yet to take action to raise it. Meanwhile, a growing number of states have pushed to increase their minimum wage in the face of record-high inflation.

California leads the way

California has become the first state to pass a law that raises the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 an hour. The law, which went into effect in April, has helped workers like Angelica Hernandez, 51, who has worked at various McDonald’s restaurants for 20 years. The raise has allowed her to pay rent and bills on time, avoid late fees, and buy “a bit more” at the grocery store.

But challenges remain

Despite the progress, many workers like Yeldell still struggle to make ends meet. Wage theft and other law violations are common in the industry, and unpredictable hours and limited access to paid sick leave are also major concerns. Additionally, preemption laws in states like Texas block cities and counties from adopting their own minimum wage laws, making it difficult for workers to gain a fair wage.

A call to action

For Yeldell, increasing the minimum wage in Texas “would be more fair.” She believes that if other states can change, then Texas can too. Her exhaustion shines through, but she remains determined to provide for her children. “I don’t want to work two jobs — I’m really tired. But I have to, because the jobs don’t pay enough,” she said.

Conclusion

The struggle for fair wages is a long and ongoing battle. While some states have taken steps to raise the minimum wage, many workers like Yeldell still face significant challenges. It is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that workers are paid a fair and living wage.

FAQs

Q: What is the federal minimum wage in the United States?
A: The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

Q: What is the minimum wage in California?
A: California has raised the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 an hour.

Q: What is the minimum wage in Texas?
A: Texas has not raised its minimum wage since 2009 and remains at $7.25 an hour.

Q: What are some of the challenges faced by fast food workers?
A: Some of the challenges faced by fast food workers include unpredictable hours, limited access to paid sick leave, and wage theft.

Q: What is being done to address these challenges?
A: Some states, like California, are taking steps to raise the minimum wage and improve working conditions. Additionally, advocacy groups and labor unions are working to raise awareness about the issues faced by fast food workers and push for change.