I was negotiating a large contract for labor as a Business Agent for the Carpenters Union. The negotiators on both sides spent a lot of time together, and had an interest in resolving our issues at a level which was tolerable for everyone.

Over lunch one time we started discussing the minimum wage, with was under consideration on either the State or Federal level. One of the management representatives asked,

"Why do you guys support a minimum wage? Wouldn't you be better off if there weren't one?"

A good question with some justification. After all, the Union wage would be far higher than the average minimum offered by employers. (I didn't have lunch at a burrito counter last summer when I saw a sign that the proprietor had raised prices because the minimum wage went up. If he's paying the minimum, and his profit margin is that narrow, well, I don't believe it.)

I was thinking about the question, it took me by surprise, when one of the Carpenter observers with me said,

"Because it's right."

I was proud of him.

Arf