BEHIND THE COUNTERJAMES QUINTERO

LABOR STATISTICS

• 507,940 fast foot employees

• 0.16% of total jobs• $9.07 mean hourly wage• $9.00 CA min wage• 29 is media age• 75% turnover rate

Source: http://www.bls.gov/OES/current/oes352011.htm

LOWER WAGE

• $15 min wage strike

•  15 percent price increase

• Fast-Food customers are price sensitive

Source: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/09/higher-fast-food-wages-higher-fast-food-prices

FOOD PREPARATION

• Cooked in factory and frozen

• Added flavor

• Consistent preparation

• Unskilled job

• Not paid overtime

Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/fast-food1.htm

PRESSURE ON TEENS

7% drop out

32.25% 16-24 yr. olds employed

52% 16-24 yr. olds employed in 1999

16% HS students employed

32% HS students employed 1990

Dropout percentage by race

Source: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=16

KEY TERMS

Minimum Wage

Unions

Automation

Unskilled Labor

Fast Food

McDonald’s

High School Dropouts

Turnover

StrikeOvertime

CRITICAL QUESTIONS

1. Should unskilled workers be paid more than minimum wage?

2. Are fast food restaurants taking advantage of the employees?

3. Are fast food restaurants to blame for hiring high school dropouts?

SOURCES

http://www.bls.gov/OES/current/oes352011.htm

http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/fast-food-workers-2013-08.pdf

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/09/higher-fast-food-wages-higher-fast-food-prices

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/fast-food1.htm

http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=16

http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/youth/youthemployment.htm

http://business.time.com/2013/07/30/fast-food-strikes-unable-to-unionize-workers-borrow-tactics-from-occupy/