Americans Feel the Nation s Minimum Wage is Too Low, But Are Conflicted on whether $15.00 an Hour is Too Much

Transcription

1 Press Contact: Corporate Communications The Harris Poll Americans Feel the Nation s Minimum Wage is Too Low, But Are Conflicted on whether $15.00 an Hour is Too Much NEW YORK, N.Y. A strong majority of Americans (72%) - crossing regional, political, generational, gender and income lines believe the current federal of $7.25 per hour is lower. However, while Americans clearly feel higher, exactly how high remains a more contentious subject. When informed that some U.S. cities have introduced programs to grow their rates to $15.00 per hour in the next few years, a six in ten majority of U.S. adults (59%) feel this rate is at least somewhat higher. But not everyone feels this way. While majorities of Republicans (81%) and Independents (62%) feel $15.00 per hour is more than the, only four in ten Democrats (41%) share this perspective, slightly behind the percentage who feel it's about right (43%). While resistance to this level of compensation likely has many causes, one that may be weighing on adults' minds is concern over their own bottom lines: eight in ten Americans (81%) believe that a higher would increase costs for consumers. These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,045 U.S. adults surveyed online between July 28 and 30, When presented with key provisions from the New York State board's recent recommendation to increase the to $15.00 per hour for fast food at chains with more than 30 locations, sentiments were mixed toward many elements of it. Just over half of Americans (53%) support the end-of-2018 deadline for reaching this rate in 2018, while just over half (52%) oppose the mid-2021 statewide deadline, but ultimately Americans most take issue with the divergent standards these dates represent. Six in ten U.S. adults (60%) oppose New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 per hour at different times. A 55% majority opposes the focus on in the fast food industry, while a narrow 52% majority opposes its focus on chains with 30 or more locations. Big picture Stepping back from which cities are planning what hikes and looking at these issues more broadly, a resounding 87% of U.S. adults agree 52% strongly so that raising the only for fast food is unfair to in other industries. Majorities also agree that all entitled to the same, regardless of what industry they're in (76%) and that all employers required to pay the same regardless of company size (69%). Fewer than three in ten (28%) feel there should not be a requirement at all. Circling back to the contentious $15.00 figure, when asked directly whether they agree or disagree that the increased to $15.00 per hour nationwide, Americans are divided down the middle at 50% each. Even drilling down to "strongly" agree and disagree responses reveals an all but even divide, with 29% strongly agreeing and 28% strongly disagreeing. Nearly three-fourths of Democrats (73%) agree that the increased to $15.00 per hour nationwide, while nearly eight in ten Republicans (79%) and over half of Independents (55%) disagree.

2 Divides also exist by generation and income: 58% of Millennials agree, while Gen Xers are divided (49% agree, 51% disagree) and majorities of Baby Boomers (55%) and Matures (56%) disagree. Roughly six in ten (59%) of those who would be impacted most by such a move those in households earning under $50,000 per year agree with the concept, while majorities of those in households earning $75,000 per year or more disagree (61% of those earning $75k-<$100k, 59 of those earning $100k or more) disagree. To see other recent Harris Polls, visit us at TheHarrisPoll.com. Want Harris Polls delivered direct to your inbox? Click here! TABLE 1a CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE ($7.25/HR) TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW By Gender, Political Party & Region "The current in the United States (i.e., the amount employers are required to pay for most nationwide) is $7.25 per hour. Do you believe $7.25 is lower or higher?" Total Gender Political Party Region Male Female Rep. Dem. Ind. Northeast South Midwest West % % % % % % % % % % Lower (NET) A great deal lower than it should be Somewhat lower than it should be Higher (NET) Somewhat higher

3 A great deal higher Neither too high nor too low Don't know Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding TABLE 1b CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE ($7.25/HR) TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW By Generation & Annual Household Income "The current in the United States (i.e., the amount employers are required to pay for most nationwide) is $7.25 per hour. Do you believe $7.25 is lower or higher?" Total Generation Annual HH Income Millennials Gen Xers Baby Matures <$50k $50k-< $75k-< $100k+ (18-35) (36-50) Boomers (51-69) (70+) $75k $100k % % % % % % % % % Lower (NET) A great deal lower than it Somewhat lower than it Higher

4 (NET) Somewhat higher than it A * great deal higher than it Neither too high nor too low Don't know Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding TABLE 2 a $15.00/HR MINIMUM WAGE TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW By Gender, Political Party & Region "Some cities in the United States have instituted programs to gradually increase their local s to $15.00 per hour over the next few years. Do you believe $15.00 is lower or higher than the?" Total Gender Political Party Region Male Female Rep. Dem. Ind. Northeast South Midwest West % % % % % % % % % % Lower (NET) A great deal lower than it should be Somewhat lower than it should be

5 Higher (NET) Somewhat higher A great deal higher Neither too high nor too low Don't know Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding TABLE 2 b $15.00/HR MINIMUM WAGE TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW By Generation & Annual Household Income "Some cities in the United States have instituted programs to gradually increase their local s to $15.00 per hour over the next few years. Do you believe $15.00 is lower or higher than the?" Lower (NET) A great deal Total Generation Annual HH Income Millennials Gen Xers Baby Matures <$50k $50k-< $75k-< $100k+ (18-35) (36-50) Boomers (51-69) (70+) $75k $100k % % % % % % % % % * 1 * -- 3

6 lower than it Somewhat lower than it Higher (NET) Somewhat higher than it A great deal higher than it Neither too high nor too low Don't know Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding TABLE 3a SUPPORT/OPPOSE KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION "Recently, New York State's board recommended that the state gradually increase its to $15.00 per hour for fast food at chains with more than 30 locations. As recommended, the is set to reach $15.00 per hour by the end of 2018 in New York City and by July 1, 2021 in the rest of New York State. Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State board's recommendation." The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City Support (NET) Strongly support Somewhat support Oppose (NET) Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose % % % % % %

7 The focus on chains with 30 or more locations The statewide deadline of mid-2021 The focus on in the fast food industry New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 at different times Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding TABLE 3b SUPPORT KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION By Gender, Political Party & Region "Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State board's recommendation?" Total Gender Political Party Region Male Female Rep. Dem. Ind. Northeast South Midwest West % % % % % % % % % % The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City The focus on chains

8 with 30 or more locations The statewide deadline of mid-2021 The focus on in the fast food industry New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 at different times TABLE 3c SUPPORT KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION By Generation & Annual Household Income "Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State board's recommendation?" The deadline of the end of the year Total Generation Annual HH Income Millennials Gen Xers Baby Matures <$50k $50k-< $75k-< $100k+ (18-35) (36-50) Boomers (51-69) (70+) $75k $100k % % % % % % % % %

9 2018 for New York City The focus on chains with 30 or more locations The statewide deadline of mid-2021 The focus on in the fast food industry New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 at different times TABLE 3d OPPOSE KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION By Gender, Political Party & Region "Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State board's recommendation?" Total Gender Political Party Region Male Female Rep. Dem. Ind. Northeast South Midwest West % % % % % % % % % %

10 New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 at different times The focus on in the fast food industry The statewide deadline of mid-2021 The focus on chains with 30 or more locations The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City TABLE 3e OPPOSE KEY PROVISIONS OF NYS WAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION By Generation & Annual Household Income "Please describe how strongly you support or oppose each of the following key provisions of the New York State board's recommendation?"

11 Total Generation Annual HH Income Millennials Gen Xers Baby Matures <$50k $50k-< $75k-< $100k+ (18-35) (36-50) Boomers (51-69) (70+) $75k $100k % % % % % % % % % New York City and the rest of the state reaching a $15.00 at different times The focus on in the fast food industry The statewide deadline of mid-2021 The focus on chains with 30 or more locations The deadline of the end of the year 2018 for New York City TABLE 4 a

12 AGREE/DISAGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS "How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?" Agree (NET) Strongly agree Somewhat agree Disagree (NET) Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree % % % % % % Raising the only for fast food is unfair to in other industries. A higher would increase costs for consumers. All entitled to the same, regardless of what industry they're in. All employers required to provide the same, regardless of company size. The should be raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. There should not be a requirement Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding

13 TABLE 4b AGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS By Gender, Political Party & Region "How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?" Total Gender Political Party Region Male Female Rep. Dem. Ind. Northeast South Midwest West % % % % % % % % % % Raising the only for fast food is unfair to in other industries. A higher would increase costs for consumers. All entitled to the same, regardless of what industry they're in. All employers required to provide the same

14 , regardless of company size. The raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. There should not be a requirement. TABLE 4c AGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS By Generation & Annual Household Income "How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?" Total Generation Annual HH Income Millennials Gen Xers Baby Matures <$50k $50k-< $75k-< $100k+ (18-35) (36-50) Boomers (51-69) (70+) $75k $100k % % % % % % % % % Raising the only for fast food is unfair to in other industries.

15 A higher would increase costs for consumers. All entitled to the same, regardless of what industry they're in. All employers required to provide the same, regardless of company size. The raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. There should not be a requirement. TABLE 4d

16 DISAGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS By Gender, Political Party & Region "How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?" Total Gender Political Party Region Male Female Rep. Dem. Ind. Northeast South Midwest West % % % % % % % % % % There should not be a requirement. The raised to $15.00 per hour nationwide. All employers required to provide the same, regardless of company size. All entitled to the same, regardless of what industry they're in

17 A higher would increase costs for consumers. Raising the only for fast food is unfair to in other industries TABLE 4e DISAGREE WITH MINIMUM WAGE STATEMENTS By Generation & Annual Household Income "How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?" Total Generation Annual HH Income Millennials Gen Xers Baby Matures <$50k $50k-< $75k-< $100k+ (18-35) (36-50) Boomers (51-69) (70+) $75k $100k % % % % % % % % % There should not be a requirement. The raised to $

18 per hour nationwide. All employers required to provide the same, regardless of company size. All entitled to the same, regardless of what industry they're in. A higher would increase costs for consumers Raising the only for fast food is unfair to in other industries. Methodology This Harris Poll was conducted online, in English, within the United States between July 28 and 30, 2015 among 2,045 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where

19 necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, The Harris Poll avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in our panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of The Harris Poll. The Harris Poll #49, August 13, 2015 By Larry Shannon-Missal, Managing Editor, The Harris Poll About The Harris Poll Begun in 1963, The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys measuring public opinion in the U.S. and is highly regarded throughout the world. The nationally representative polls, conducted primarily online, measure the knowledge, opinions, behaviors and motivations of the general public. New and trended polls on a wide variety of subjects including politics, the economy, healthcare, foreign affairs, science and technology, sports and entertainment, and lifestyles are published weekly. For more information, or to see other recent polls, visit us at TheHarrisPoll.com.