A group of people who could be easily replaced by machines, accompanied by paid labor union goons, are planning a nationwide strike on Thursday in an effort to unionize fast food employees and demand $15.00 an hour for the hard work of asking if a customer would like a combo meal.
Progressivism in action. You want more money? Forget about developing more valuable skills or a better work ethic. Just throw a tantrum until some politician forces other people to pay you more.
“Welcome-to-the-Age-of-the-Machines. Do-you-want-fries-with-that?”
My favorite McDonald’s manager says he dreams of the day when it’s him and a bunch of machines.
Looking forward to the day the New Roboburger franchise opens near me. Although perhaps it is sinking in that a lot of fast food workers can be replaced by machines. I’ve noticed that a lot of the fast food places I’ve visited lately the workers have actually been pleasant
The Philadelphia regional WAWA convenience store-and-gas-station chain has touch-screen kiosks for the sandwich-making counter. You can park at the pump, go into the store and punch-in your sandwich order. It spits out a job-ticket that with your order-number and lists what snacks, beveregaes or dessert specials comes with your sandwich. You can get your beverage of choice; slushie, soda, 20-blends of coffee, bottled cooler-beverage or water, select your chips or salad-side. Then go to the counter with your goodies, newspaper and beverage. Pay for EVERYTHING including your gas and smokes. And be out and back to your car in 5-minutes with food&drink, smokes, a newspaper and a full-tank of gas.
And the gas is the cheapest in the area since they basically sell it at-cost so you will shop-inside. And most are open 24/7…and the tire air-pump actually works and is FREE!!
They have totally cannibalized the Subway sandwich chain’s business in the main roads here and are giving McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts a run for their customer’s coffee money. There’s almost zero market penetration by the Subway chain in local areas here with established WAWA stores.
On the Pennsy-side of the river; the pumps are kiosk-automated. The sandwich-counter order-taking is automated. And some of the stores are experimenting with self-checkout like the supermarkets. Meanwhile the staff is smoothly and efficiently making each sandwich custom-ordered. restocking the shelves and the coffee centers special-blend vacuum-urns, and cleaning the bathrooms to satisfy an USMC Sergeant standards. In New Jersey, they even pump your gas for you. (It’s an arcane State law.)
. . . And the slacker-drone at McDonald’s is demanding $15./hour??
I prefer dealing with people. For example, I only use the self check out lanes in grocery stores when there is no other option that makes any sense. Nor do I buy food at the gas station chain that uses the machines for coming up with one’s food order. However, if the counter staff is awful, I will go elsewhere. If the staff is good, I tend to go back.
Having said that, I don’t understand how these economic geniuses who are trying for these ridiculously higher wages expect stores to survive if their wage costs go way up.
I know where I’m going for lunch on Thursday.
Fast food is getting expensive as it is – doubling labor costs will certainly drive more automation as customers are increasingly unwilling to pay ever-higher prices.
That said, the “develop better skills and work ethic” advice, while good advice, neglects our friend the IQ bell curve and the fact the increasing labor supply and automation are pushing more people into these jobs.
Too tell the truth, I don’t know what to think anymore… I realize that labor markets are local but I constantly read of people who can’t find jobs yet there are lots of places in KC with help-wanted signs (including billboards and TV ads) while, at the same time, a lot of the help I run into (especially at fast food outlets) is utterly inept.
The soda machines are already self serve at McDonald’s. I’m sure the cashiers are next. The McDonald burgers and chicken nuggets already taste machine made. Why not take it a step further with robot cooks?
If prices of fast food skyrocket due to increases in the minimum wage, will people then start eating more at home?
“Congratulations! Your wage is now $15 an hour. Oh, by the way, we’re closing next week to put in new computerized ordering. We will pay you for the time while it’s closed, however, once we re-open, we will be letting you know who gets to stay.”
@davinci The question is how many people still know how to cook? Some boyfriends are harder to drag to the grocery store with you than for a sports game.