Toward a Living Wage in Montana. It’s all about education!

Who but misanthropes and exploiters of cheap labor would oppose the goal of increasing Montana’s minimum wage by one dollar to $6.15 per hour? Only a committed ascetic who inherited a home can enjoy a wholesome, healthy, independent life here on $12,000 per year. Clearly, the proposed increase falls far below a “living wage.”

Fifteen dollars per hour would provide only a modest living in our prosperous community. Actually, this is hardly a radical change. The real minimum wage benchmark is McDonalds, at $10 plus some benefits. It’s been years since we’ve paid under $12 for ranch work. American Bank starts tellers at $13 will full health, vacation benefits, and 401k contributions. Unskilled labor brings $18 at Big Sky.

Why doesn’t the Human Rights Task Force or Raise Montana, two organizations supporting the increase, advocate a $15, $20, or $25 minimum? Here’s my speculation: They’re too smart and sensitive to impose the resultant hardships on the least well off members of our community. Perhaps they understand that in complex systems it’s impossible to do just one thing. Well-intended actions often have negative, terribly perverse unintended results.

by John A. Baden, Ph.D.

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