Trevor McKee

To the people laughing at McDonald's employees wanting better wages because they think those ordering kiosks are going to replace them all: There's usually only 2 people at the counter taking orders...where exactly do you think the food comes from? Fucking magic? Who mops the floors? Who cleans up the bathrooms after your inconsiderate ass made a mess? Who restocks the napkins, cups, and condiments? Who wipes down the tables so you have a clean place to sit down and eat? Who unloads the supply trucks? Who washes the dishes that get used to prep all the food? Who cleans the deep fryers and grills and ovens and other equipment? Who empties the trash cans outside and cleans up the shit in the parking lot that you couldn't even be bothered to PUT in those trash cans. Who counts the money and manages the finances? And this is just off the top of my head. I suspect the people running their mouths the most are the ones that wouldn't last a week working hard in a food service job for a slave wage.

I'm not arguing that a fast food worker is a "skilled" or specialized trade... only that they do work hard and computers can't completely replace their jobs (and that they deserve respect and not to be laughed at due to the presence of ordering kiosks). At the same time lots of other non-skilled work has historically paid a lot more. It comes down to the cost of low prices and corporate structure/philosophy. I try to eat at places and shop at places that I know pay their people a bit better than the other guys. It costs a little bit more, but I can afford it. If all you care about is getting your lunch the absolutely cheapest it can be...quality and worker well-being be damned...then I guess we don't have anything to talk about. It's a free country and you can spend your money how you want.