Wages: Small Business Vs. Large Corporations

[Celeborn Skywalker]

I was thinking the other day about wages and salaries between large corporations and small businesses. I'm normally inclined to think that small businesses are better for our society overall.

However, I was wondering if places like Wal-Mart, Albertsons, etc., had strong unions (think UAW) wouldn't the large corporations actually be better able to provide good wages and benefits? Think $20/hr, good healthcare, sick days, etc. Can small businesses really afford to bring wages and benefits that high?

I know that this is all a theoretical scenario dependent on strong unions (which may never happen) and I also recognize the value and sense of community that small businesses add to a location. I was just wondering if someone here on DU could set me straight.

[rucky]

1. Best agruement for universal single-payer healthcare I've heard.

Take that out of the equation, and small businesses can compete for the best & brightest employees, and offer them flexibility and mobility that corporations can't.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

2. True.

I'm surprised more businesses haven't come out in favor of single-payer healthcare. It would save them a lot of money, it would seem.

[Idealism]

3. Many states in the south are right to work

And some companies specifically deny workers the right to unionize.

Wal-Mart pays pretty bad, just ask the part timer who got trampled to death today. Poor guy was making $7-8 an hour most likely

[Celeborn Skywalker]

4. Exactly.

I was just picturing a fantasy scenario where every corporation was heavily unionized.

[Idealism]

5. The erosion of workers rights has been slow

Imagine how long it will take to reverse it? Democracy is ill-suited for a quick change, me thinks

[Celeborn Skywalker]

6. Unfortunately,

you are probably right. I hope Obama really cleans out the Labor Department and gets some fresh, progressive, blood in there.