Call me naïve. I just assumed those pious-looking Salvation Army folks ringing holiday bells in front of collection kettles were volunteers. Actually, they’re minimum wage employees. In a better economy, many of those jobs would go unfilled. Not now.
The Salvation Army recently hired more than 200 bell ringers in St. Petersburg – at $7.25 an hour. Moreover, the Salvation Army can track bell ringers to see who’s really producing – and reward them with prime locations. Or who’s not and – well, Merry Christmas anyway.