I work at the US Senate. I shouldn’t have to dance at strip clubs to feed my son

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/08/i-work-at-the-us-senate-i-shouldnt-have-to-dance-at-strip-clubs-to-feed-my-son/

I work at the US Senate. I shouldn’t have to dance at strip clubs to feed my son
The Guardian
05 Aug 2015 at 14:25 ET

I’m a single mother and I struggle to support my son on the $10.33 an hour I make at one of the most exclusive clubs in America – the US Senate. I’m a cashier employed by the British-owned contractor that runs the cafeterias in the Senate office buildings. But even though I serve some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world, I can’t afford to buy my son school supplies or clothes.

Related: Bertrand Olotara: the US Senate cook struggling to get off food stamps

After paying all my bills and providing for the needs of my son, I’m $600 in the hole every month. On top of the low wages, I get a lay-off notice every time the US Senate goes on recess, which means that I don’t get a paycheck for 8-10 weeks a year.

When I realized that I couldn’t survive on what I was making at the Senate, I made a difficult decision. Faced with eviction notices and unpaid bills, I decided to dance at a strip club a few nights a week to earn extra money. It was the only job I could find that let me work a flexible schedule and earn a living wage.

I don’t want to be a stripper: it can be demeaning to dance for men who show no respect for women. I only do it out of necessity, because I have to support my son. He gets As and Bs on his report card and my shelves are full of his football trophies. My son makes me proud and I want to give him everything that my mother couldn’t give me. The wages I make at my day job just don’t leave me much choice.

[packman]

1. That's sad and just as sad

is a British-owned contractor running the cafeterias in the Senate.

Get another job - and I pray that you will not fault me as saying that too glibly. Screw them.

[daleanime]

2. Problem is.....

how few livable jobs there are out that.

[packman]

4. Amen to that

Still a woman with her drive, ambition and determination just HAS TO get a better job. I know all to well the rut one can get into in wrapping yourself up in a dead-end, low paying job rather that one day just saying, "Fuck this-I'm going to change this shit". Bless her and wish her all the best.

[Historic NY]

3. Imagine an American contractor serving tea, in the house of Lords.

We wonder whats wrong when the seat of power doesn't see the hand in front their face that's serving them. Farming out the store is another way to do things on the cheap, like wages. Hopefully things will improve after the Executive Orders come on line in Jan.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/07/31/3466134/obama-executive-order-contractors/

[INdemo]

5. I dont understand why someone (News Print) doesnt

publish the consumer index and COL since say 2000 and it will prove that the minimum wage should be a least $15.00 hr and by 2020 should be at least $17.00
I blame president Obama for not pushing the minimum age issue more strongly but he allowed the Repukes to get their way.

[lastlib]

6. CPI stats are readily available at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.....

for download.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. And they are pure bullshit

They are purposely low so the can give lower COL increases to those on the government dole, ie Social Security recipients, military personnel

[Skittles]

7. there's nothing between cashiering and stripping, apparently