Tipped Workers Need a Raise

Oct 23 2009

"Restaurant workers do some of the hardest and most underappreciated jobs in our nation. It's time they were guaranteed fair compensation," says Jose Oliva, Policy Coordinator for Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United.

Almost 15% of waiters and waitresses live below the federal poverty level -- which is itself below the actual level needed for even basic necessities. The minimum base pay for tipped workers has been frozen at $2.13 since 1991. Tipped workers, such as restaurant servers, delivery workers and others will benefit from the July 24 increase because base pay plus tips must add up to the minimum wage or else employers must make up the difference. But too many managers take advantage of workers by illegally underpaying them. The $2.13 rate did not increase with the federal minimum wage raise to $7.25.

Working for Adequate Gains for Employment in Services (WAGES) Act (H.R. 2570). This bill would increase tipped workers' base pay to $3.75 immediately and later index the rate to 70% of the federal minimum wage.

Learn More

ROC United Blog, Oct 7 Congressional Briefing on Tipped Workers

Raj Nayak and Paul Sonn, National Employment Law Project, Restoring the Minimum Wage for America's Tipped Workers.

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards Continues Commitment to Working People by Introducing the Working for Adequate Gains for Employment in Services (WAGES) Act.

ROC United, Restaurant Workers Nationwide Hold Actions to Increase Minimum Wage, Valentines Day, February 2009.

Contact

Jose Oliva, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United
ROC has chapters in Chicago, Los Angeles, Maine, Miami, Michigan, New Orleans, New York and Washington, DC.