Cafeteria workers at Facebook struggle to make ends meet

Post by sealthedeal » Mon, Jul 24, 2017, 3:51 PM UTC

bryanlarsen wrote: post #28

dpark wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If we can afford a program to feed the poor, we can afford a program to feed everyone This isn't actually true, which is why means testing exists. If San Francisco gave every resident just $200/month for food, it would cost the city over $2 billion/year. And that's assuming only $200/month and no other assistance programs. The only way to get rid of means testing while maintaining existing social services would be…

"drastically raise taxes." Sure, on paper it would drastically raise taxes, but the net effect would be nil. The average taxpayer would have taxes raised by $200 and receive a benefit of $200/month. And the raise should be substantially less than $200 because you no longer have to pay for the old food assistance program, nor most of the bureaucracy for it.

Post by eropple » Mon, Jul 24, 2017, 3:54 PM UTC

wbl wrote: post #65

ringwalt wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well you can't really consider the Bay Area housing bubble and cost of living spike without taking the tech boom into account. I think it's both the fault of NIMBYism/failure to build sufficient housing in the South Bay, and the fault of large companies, VCs, and startups for doubling down on the South Bay instead of distributing new jobs more evenly throughout the rest of the country.

Why should they given the gains to concentration? Other metro like Chicago and NYC do have tech offices.

Post by rbanffy » Mon, Jul 24, 2017, 3:56 PM UTC

dpark wrote: post #11

austenallred wrote: post #2

“Back in the day, [the wage] would have been a great number,” said Victor, “but because of Facebook moving in, everything is so expensive. I have to get payday loans sometimes. We barely make it.” They make a combined (rounded) $75,000/year. The real tragedy is that you can't afford to make it in the Bay Area on $75k/yr. I don't think that's something you can blame solely on Facebook.

Where is their $75k/year going? I totally get that the bay is ridiculously expensive, but they're living in his parents' garage. Are his parents charging him that much rent? I'd think someone living in their parents' garage and earning $75k would be doing pretty well in terms of money. (Setting aside the fact that living with your family in a 2-car garage would definitely suck.)

Post by mc32 » Mon, Jul 24, 2017, 3:57 PM UTC

nxsynonym wrote: post #69

mc32 wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps but consider even in developing economies these kinds of jobs aren't the ones which allow you to raise a middle class family, never mind a doing so in a developed economy.

Just to be clear - I'm not advocating for minimum wage jobs to put a family of 4 (or 5) in the middle class bracket. What I'm advocating for is that (2!) minimum wage jobs should afford rent, food, and medical/dental expenses. There is absolutely no excuse why $75k combined income should afford a 2 or 3 br apartment, food, and to keep the kids healthy. The only options are to a) either lower costs to make things affo…

Post by eropple » Mon, Jul 24, 2017, 3:57 PM UTC

bluedino wrote: post #74

A few things. They aren't Facebook employees, as some people might infer when reading the headline. They're working for the cafeteria contractor - Flagship Facility Services. They are making $2 and $4/hour more than the $15/hour minimum wage people are fighting for. Obviously $15 isn't enough and neither is more than $15. >> Earlier in their relationship, the couple both earned about $12 per hour as managers at Chipo…