this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2023
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
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- Better and fewer working hours.
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my first reaction was that's a rediculous amount, but its actually not that far fetched. my commute cost is $17 per day (AUD) which is pretty much half that. all it takes is a cheap lunch and a coffee to meet that total (obviously something you can avoid most days but you won't everyday because "TeAm BoNdiNg" requires spending money to eat with people you don't like
I work in the US but at my company, team lunch is always paid for. Not only the food, but the time we eat is paid time (for hourly employees.) Mandatory "fun" should be on the clock and paid for by the company.
Definitely not the case for every company here, of course. But personally, I'd refuse to attend if the company weren't paying for it.
You guys hiring?
Holy shit, 17/day? I fill my tank once every two weeks, so like $4/day in gas at most.
Parking, transit, gas, insurance, wear and tear on vehicle, fancy office clothes, etc. It costs more than just gas to get to work for most folks.
This is why I ride an ebike to work. Substitute cash for risk of death
Dying is cheaper for you
Didn't consider insurance and being blue collar is nice as far as clothes go.
Good steel toed shoes aren't cheap.
Company gets us a deal on red wing composite toe boots.
AUD, but yeah about $10 USD
A good lowball figure estimate your daily commute cost if driving would be to use the government reimbursement rate. It tends to be lower than what it actually costs, but it is a figure that can be referenced. Don't ask me what it is now, because it changes all the time
The only argument I really have much sympathy for is the time/gas expenses. Food is totally on "us." Buying food too expensive every day? Meal prep on the weekends. I never buy food at work and if I were home I'd be eating the same thing as I am at work so it's not an extra cost.
That said I'm 100% not against having employers cover food costs lol
Do you have kids? Do you have a live-in maid? Do you spend all day Sunday doing meal prep for the week? People are working longer hours, commuting more, and have less time. I'm all for personal accountability, but man, there's only so many hours in a day. Imagine you had an emergency on a Sunday night. No lunch for the week?
I don't have kids or a maid, but I only need 2 hours to make what I would be eating for lunch. If you can't find 2 hours to make food then I guess you have to buy it, but that fact would remain whether you're at work or not.
"If people don't buy lunch the economy will suffer!"
Okay so have employers cover the cost of food. $15 per meal.
As long as you're not forced to eat in the office or with coworkers foregoing any breaks you're entitled to.
Make sure to write that into the contract as well as omitting any no-strike clauses.
Setting aside that time to meal prep still has a cost though. Mentally and time-wise.