workers will finally ask for livable wages from their employers

Most states allow booth renting, which means that the barber or stylist is paying the salon/shop owner for the privilege of working there. They can be expected to help keep the place clean, only sell products the shop owner authorizes, be available for walk-ins a certain number of hours per week, and keep pricing in line with that shop’s policies, but otherwise they’re “their own boss.” Whatever that means at that point.

So many barbers and stylists are not making wages. They’ve effectively got a landlord who sets their prices for them. The only power they have is to change shops and hope for a less abusive landlord, but that also risks alienating reliable and repeating customers.

It’s an absolutely fucked and predatory system. It requires a legislative fix, but just like the other big tip-dependent sector of food service, the people in these jobs are overwhelmingly overworked women struggling to make ends meet. Many people find it difficult to engage in political advocacy when they’re struggling to survive.

Basically, I hate this “ask for livable wages” rhetoric because at-risk people have the hardest time self-advocating. Don’t blame poor people for being poor. See that there’s a problem and advocate on for them.