• greenskye@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    I feel like part of this needs to address the common claim that the businesses in question will go bankrupt as a result of the increases in pay for labor.

    It’s great that unions increase pay. But that hasn’t been the argument I’ve heard against unions. It’s that increasing the pay will tank the company and everyone would shortly be out of work. Which I don’t believe at all, but that’s the common argument against unions

    • phillaholic@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      We heard all these excuses back in 07 in the lead up to the minimum wage going up federally. None of it came true and it never has.

    • tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      I can’t think of a quick indisputable rebuttal to that claim, like I could say the companies have paid higher wages in the past relative to the value of the dollar and stayed in business, but there are a lot of factors involved that would need examining. But like another comment said risk is inherent in any business, if your business can’t succeed with these wages another company will fill your place. If no company can succeed with pay rates and benefits that are bare minimum for living then there is a root aspect of this setup that needs to change.

      One thing we could do is look at companies that have unionized or increased wages and benefits for workers and were successful as a business afterwards. I don’t know any specific companies off-hand that are good examples, but there are probably some that could be mentioned if people doubt the possibility.