The Fast Food Industry’s Low-Wage Reality
A Single Mom’s Struggle
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 $17 an hour as a cleaner for Houston’s Metro system. Despite her hard work, she often sleeps for only two to three hours before getting her kids up and ready for school.
The Statistics
About two-thirds of fast food workers in the U.S. are women, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of them are supporting their families on minimum wages set at the federal government’s floor of $7.25 an hour. Hispanic workers make up 24.6% of the industry’s workforce, compared to 18.8% of the overall workforce.
The Struggle is Real
President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the federal minimum wage is "very low" and that he would consider raising it, but that doing so would be "complicated." Meanwhile, a growing number of states have pushed to increase their minimum wage in the face of record-high inflation. By the end of this year, 23 states and 65 cities and counties will raise their minimum wage floors.
Texas: A State with a Low Minimum Wage
Texas is one of 20 states at the $7.25 federal minimum wage floor and has not budged since 2009. Democratic lawmakers in Texas have repeatedly proposed legislation to raise the minimum wage in the state to no avail. Preemption laws, which exist in Texas and many other states, block cities and counties from adopting their own minimum wage laws.
The Reality of Fast Food Work
Fast food workers face unpredictable hours, limited access to paid sick leave, and challenging customer interactions. Wage theft and other law violations are also common in the industry. Despite the challenges, Yeldell maintains a positive outlook about her job, which she started about a year and a half ago as a delivery driver and has since learned to do "pretty much everything" at her Fresno, Texas store.
California: A State with a Higher Minimum Wage
California now has the highest fast food minimum wage of any state, with a minimum of $20 an hour. Angelica Hernandez, a 51-year-old McDonald’s worker, said the raise helped her pay rent and bills on time, avoid late fees, and buy "a bit more" at the grocery store. However, she says much of the increase was swallowed by a recent $200 rent hike.
Conclusion
The fast food industry’s low-wage reality is a struggle for many workers, including single moms like TiAnna Yeldell. While some states have pushed to increase their minimum wage, others, like Texas, have not budged. It is time for policymakers to consider the reality of fast food work and the need for a living wage.
FAQs
Q: What is the current federal minimum wage?
A: The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Q: How many states have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage?
A: Currently, 23 states and 65 cities and counties have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage.
Q: What is the average hourly wage for fast food workers in the U.S.?
A: The average hourly wage for fast food workers in the U.S. is around $9.50 an hour before tips.
Q: How many hours does TiAnna Yeldell work in a week?
A: TiAnna Yeldell works 80 hours a week.
Q: What is the current minimum wage for fast food workers in California?
A: The current minimum wage for fast food workers in California is $20 an hour.
