Reply #22: I agree, It's all about the area!

[sheelz]

Here in western NY, an economically depressed area, any job is hard to come by. As a a grocery store clerk in a union store we make min wage ( NY state min is $6.75 as of 1/1/06 up from $6.00 hr.) They will only hire part-time without any benefits. I have a 4-year degree and many years of retail mgmt. Half of the employees are on food stamps/medicaid because you can't live on 120.00 per week. We're trying to get outta here but it takes money.Store manger said he doesn't believe in min wage because it increase food prices?? It's a sad situation here, I see it everyday. I'm from the North Chicago suburbs and I've never seen people make half of what I made 20 years ago doing the same job with half the hours and no benefits and most of all-- no hope!