Poverty and hunger will rise as a result of the Trump administration’s unprecedented cuts to the US federal “food stamps” program, according to experts. Low-income workers who rely on the aid are braced for dire consequences.

  • ToastedRavioli@midwest.social
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    3 days ago

    She makes $3 an hour plus tips at the fast-food chain Waffle House, where she has worked for 11 years. The company deducts meals from workers’ pay check per shift, regardless of whether they eat one or not.

    Making $3/hr in the US in 2025 is far and away the most brutal shit, especially after giving 11 years to a company. That is just fucked up. I cant even think of anything other than produce that costs less than $3. How the fuck is that an acceptable hourly wage?

    • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      How is it legal to deduct wages from a check for a meal you don’t get? On another note time to end tips.

    • PattyMcB@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      It’s not an acceptable hourly wage, but they refuse to change it so the CEO can get that extra plane/yacht/car

    • dhork@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      How the fuck is that an acceptable hourly wage?

      The logic (such that it is) is that the Federal minimum wage is still $7.25 . The “plus tips” is intended to make up the difference. If that person makes less than $4.25/hr in tips, the management is supposed to make up the difference. (And, in fact, the Federal minimum for “plus tis” is $2.13.)

      This varies by state, some states have higher minimums, both straight minimums and minimums for tipped employees.

      https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped

      • novibe@lemmy.ml
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        18 hours ago

        So she’s making 87 cents more than the absolute minimum after 11 fucking years…….

    • NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Why even stay there with 11 years experience. Unless you’re a shitty server, or it’s in some tiny town and this is the only option, I’m sure you could do a lot better at another better restaurant than waffle house with 5+ years on your resume.

      And they deduct meals? Wtf.

      • rozodru@lemmy.world
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        21 hours ago

        believe it or not job security. Restaurants come and go and more often they go. Waffle House only closes if a nuclear bomb has detonated within 5miles of it. If you drive past a closed Waffle House it’s probably a good idea to keep driving and quickly.

        And the only way to get fired from a Waffle House is if you literally murder someone while working there. So yes the pay is shit but it’s consistent shit.