Letter to the editor: It's time to correct minimum wage disparity

Letter-writer Jim Fontana Sr. (“Minimum wage questions” ) asked readers to try to explain why raising the minimum wage could be proper. I am an 88-year-old retired accountant who spent over 40 years working with payrolls and employee benefits, and I would like to try.

First, I believe the American worker is a real bargain. Those of us who have enjoyed annual cost of living increases, including politicians, professionals, teachers and union workers, have kept up with inflation. On the other hand, productivity has gone up 400-500% over the years, and little of this has gone into our paychecks.

Second, my restaurant owners will hate me for this, but their prices have increased over the years more than sufficient to pay a more reasonable minimum wage. Over my lifetime, coffee has gone for 10 cents a cup to over $2.50 plus tax and tip. Hamburgers have gone from 25 cents to over $12 in some restaurants. All other items have gone up in like amounts.

Third, coffee and hamburgers are not going to make themselves. Any worker that management could eliminate has already been let go. Those of us who have enjoyed the fruits of our labor are not going to suddenly stop and make our own coffee and breakfast. Claiming that there will be major reductions in staffing is simply not true.

In summary, the minimum wage has not been raised in a decade and it is now time to correct the disparity.

Bob Reeping

Freeport