University Daily Kansan
Friday, November 3, 1977
7
Wage law's impact is unclear
Staff Writer
By JERRY JONES
Jobs may be tougher to find for Lawrence students, despite a new law that simplifies procedures for small businesses to hire part-time for less than minimum wages.
The law, passed as an amendment to the recent federal minimum wage act, allows a small business to file a short statement on a worker than the complex form currently required.
The law allows each small business to hire a certain number of students to work no more than 20 hours each week in the minimum wage. In January, when the minimum wage becomes $2.55 an hour, the 85 per cent level would be $2.81. By 1981, minimum wage will be raised
ALTHOUGH THE amendment was designed to spur student employment, some observers foresee adverse repercussions. The wage increase, they say, will make the student sub-minimum amendment inconsequential.
Sen. Gaylord Nelson, D-Wis., who sponsored the amendment, has said the amendment should encourage small businesses to hire students.
Jack Carlson, national chamber of Commerce vice president and chief economist has estimated that 27,000 jobs will be lost because the increased minimum wage. Of that number, 14,100 jobs will be lost by students, according to Carlson. That means that more than 55 per cent of the jobs lost because of the minimum wage increase will be student
However, Edison Mills, manager of the Lawrence Job Service Center, 833 Ohio St., does not believe the amendment will have any substantial impact.
"Most of the people working at minimum wage are younger or the older, retired person," Bud Grant, executive director of Commerce and Industry's retail division, said.
"THE HIGHER you get this minimum wage, the few jobs there are available."
As the program now exists, Mills said last week, no more than five per cent of the students who work for eligible employers in Lawrence work for less than minimum wages. In the two weeks since the amendment was passed by the Senate, one no has called the Job Service Center to inquire about it. One reason, he said, is that industrial employers deal with trade unions, wages have risen well above the minimum.
"BASICALLY, YOU'D stay out of the messy hills said. "You'd have to roll under rocks."
One major Lawrence retailer and an employer of student help is Rusty's Food Centers, Inc. Bill Elkins, vice president, and Michael Kernan, the company's employees are college students.
Gandhi injured in disturbance
NEW DELHI, India (AP)—Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, facing hostile, rock-hurling demonstrators for the second time in less than a week, suffered a minor face cut last night, India's national agency reported.
Gandhi was cut below ear right ear when her car and several others were stoned by the Muslims. The head of Deal's Janata People's party and the Marxist Communist party, the Samarach agency reported from the scene of the murders in Karmataka, southwest India.
SUA Films
Friday & Saturday,
Nov. 4 & 5
LISZTOMANIA
Director Ken Russell with Roger Daltrey, Ringo Starr,
$1.25, 3:30; 7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
Woodruff Auditorium
Friday & Saturday
Nov. 4 & 5
Woman Filmmaker
GUNVOR NELSON
will show and discuss her films.
$1.00, 8:00 o.m., Faculta Room
Rusty's utilizes the current sub-minimum wage allowance with new student employees, Elkins said yesterday. When a student is hired, he begins at the 85 per cent level on a trial basis for 30 days. If his work is completed, he is appotted on the payroll and given a raise. Within 90 days, Elkins said, all students are within the regular minimum wages.
Friday & Saturday.
MANSON
The Manson family at the Spath
Academy Award nominee by Robert
Hendrickson.
$1,250. 00 midnight. Woodruff
nov. 9 & 3
Midnight Movies:
MANSON
Sunday, Nov. 6
VIVA PORTUGAL
VIRTUAL PORTUGAL
Director Mark Wels, Midwest
Premiere. $1.00, 3:30 p.m., Forum
Room
Monday, Nov. 7
FOOL KILLER
Director Servando Gonzales with Anthony Perkins, Edward Albert. $1.00. 7:30 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium
Tuesday, Nov. 8
THE LAST RESOR1
Atomic Energy at Seabrook, N.H. by Green Mt. Post. $1.00, 7:30 p.m., Forum Room
Wednesday, Nov. 9
LA GUERRE EST FINI
(The War is Over)
Director Alain Resnais with Yves Monfand, Geneviève Buijold. $1,00.
7:30 p.m. Room Room
"We are going to look at our program," he said, "particularly in our service areas—sackers and carry-out. With everyone hollering about the price of groceries, we can lower it by a few cents to minimize the customer services and have the lady push the cart out to her car herself."
ELKINS SAID that when the new minimum wage law takes effect in January, Rusty's may be forced to back on case money and raise prices, he said, and jobs would go first.
The situation won't be as dramatic for KU students, EKLAn predicted, but they will also have to deal with a more difficult
Elkins said the company would examine the effects of the increase early next year, then make a decision. He did conjecture, however, that the new law would have a negative impact on a particular segment of the student population.
"I'll tell you where it's really going to make a difference," he said. "The kid who's in high school—he's going to have a hard time finding a job in Lawrence."
"THE HIGH SCHOOL student is just going to be out of a job."
"On the college level, we're going to be more selective," he said. "It's not going to be as easy for the average college kid to get a job."
"They (employers) will be paying
The new amendment also has little impact for Art Cromer, manager of Gibson's offices in New York, who yesterday that about 75 of his 160 employees were students, but no one on his is paid less than $18.
premium prices, and the will want premium people."
"A guy who is working just as hard as the
same gets deserved to get paid the same as
the other."
the same number of employees after the minimum wage increases, relying on increased sales to offset the rising operating costs.
CROMER SAID he intends to maintain
Although the new legislation brings wages to the forefront of the part-time job issue, Milena I. that wages are not the primary considerer, when students and employers get together.
Hours of availability are the biggest stumbling blocks we have, he said. "Then you have to find another way."
The People of "Peoples China." (1972)
Time: Monday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Place: Forum Room, Kansas Union
E! The International Club FREE!
Serving fine lunches Cafeteria style in the Casbah, 803 MassachusserS Sr.
Lawrence, Kansas
NOW OPEN!
FEATURING:
- Sandwiches (Roast Beef our specialty)
* Coffee Bar
*Delicious Side Orders & Soups
★ Daily Specials & Entrees
- Salad & Antipasto Bar
*Desserts
From 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Saturday
Come in and give us a try.
We think you'll like it!
Now comes Miller time.
© 1977 Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, WI