Posted on 02/02/2017 10:37:21 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Massachusetts is in the midst of debating the Fight for 15, with proposals on the table to raise the minimum wage that high at least for a few industries including big box stores and fast food outlets. That would have a serious impact on businesses such as McDonald’s, which hires a lot of younger workers looking for their first entries on their resumes, particularly if they don’t have a secondary school education. While we’re on the subject, if you happen to be in the Boston area be sure to stop by one McDonald’s where you can meet their new employee. He’s not very chatty, though, since he’s a machine. (New Boston Post)
At the same time as a coalition dedicated to passing legislation that would boost the state’s hourly minimum wage to $15 delivered its presentation on Beacon Hill, across town in Kenmore Square a McDonald’s franchise unveiled the world’s first Big Mac machine…
McDonald’s announced that their Big Mac machine would be making its worldwide debut on Jan. 24, less than a week after Donahue and Donnelly filed their joint legislation.
Noah Berger, president of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, told New Boston Post after Tuesday’s briefing that the threat of automation should not influence whether or not Massachusetts should adopt a higher minimum wage scale.
Berger is posing some theories which are actually true, but traditionally fall under the law of unintended consequences. One of the big points he’s making is that “automation allows workers to become more productive and… can allow for higher wages because it increases productivity.” This is all very true, but there are a few more points which Noah Berger might have wanted to mention. Automation increases productivity because it frequently replaces the need for lower paid workers. In return, people who need greater skills to operate and maintain the machinery find opportunities, generally at higher pay.
That, however, won’t come as very much consolation to the folks with high school degrees and no experience who frequently find early work at McDonald’s and other similar outlets. They won’t be getting those better paying jobs because there are still plenty of folks out there looking for work who have more experience and education. They will be the ones getting those jobs while the number of openings for the high school grads decreases. This is just basic capitalism in action.
But look on the plus side, guys. We’ve got an ATM that dispenses Big Macs! What’s next… a Krispy Kreme dispenser on every corner? We may indeed be entering a golden age.
I’ll go back to McDonald’s when they learn how to deliver a hot sandwich. Maybe these machines have promise...
Automation is coming soon to all of us in America and we will not only be able to replace fast food workers with machines, but also truck drivers, cab & uber drivers, crane operations, oilfield workers, airline pilots, factory workers, farm workers, dock workers, coal miners, steel workers and many other jobs.
All of this will be a great windfall for American business and the American consumer.
We will lead the world in employee automation.
Next question -— what will those replaced by automation be doing?
Protesting, rioting.
Piaid protesters/rioters
"Welcome to Carls Jr. How about some big ass fries?"
“Next question -— what will those replaced by automation be doing?”
That’s not our problem.
However, there are lots of jobs in design and engineering of the technology, software, manufacturing and maintenance or these machines.
So, instead of having truck drivers, auto factory workers, coal miners or people working in an appliance factory, we will have people people writing code to control the machines.
“At the same time as a coalition dedicated to passing legislation that would boost the state’s hourly minimum wage to $15 delivered its presentation on Beacon Hill, across town in Kenmore Square a McDonald’s franchise unveiled the world’s first Big Mac machine…”
Love the optics.
“when they learn how to deliver a hot sandwich”
And less attitude. lol
I’ll go back to McDonald’s when they learn how to deliver a hot sandwich. Maybe these machines have promise...
This is as much on you as them. It is the same with any business (or restaurant). If you are not happy with the product, send it back.
When I do get a breakfast at McDonald I ask that it be made fresh and I can stand there and watch them make it.
But I have a feeling you just don’t like McDonalds which is fine.
If McDonald’s would go back to the 70s/80s era ingredients, I would be a real customer again.
The slicing and packaging is by machine. A laser continually reads the grain of the filet, and slices accordingly.
The fileting, smoking, and loading is manual, from what I remember.
And, the biggest processor in right in NYC.
“Protesting, rioting. “
—
Uh,uh !
Two of my grandsons earn $10.00 an hour doing part time cashiering at a local supermarket in MA.
They will be looking for other work.
,
Of course, since the income of those replaced workers is $0, there will be fewer patrons for the machine made products.
A machine can’t spit in your food.
The optics are great, from automation at McDonald’s to automation at factories and automation in all of our lives and in almost every industry.
It’s great for America.
With autonomous cars and trucking, we increase safety, eliminate or greatly reduce the need for insurance, auto body repair, traffic cops, truck drivers, and truck stops
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