Massachusetts

getagrip_already

(17,537 posts) Wed Oct 9, 2024, 06:52 PM Oct 9

Ballot question 5: The minimum wage for tipped workers?

https://cspa.tufts.edu/2024-ballot-questions

I was initially all for this question since it excludes tips from the minimum wage in mass. But im rethinking it due to tip sharing with white collar job titles.

Currently in MA, tipped workers are guaranteed to make the minimum wsge ($15/hr), but every dollar per hour between $8.50 and $15 comes out of their tips, reducing the employers payroll expenses.

Under the ballot question, employers would be responsible for the $15 wage, and tips would be on top of that.

BUT, employers can elect to share all tips between other job types, including white collar roles like book keepers, accountants, and any other non mansgement workers. I support sharing with bussworkers and dishwashers, to an extent, bit the white collar positions are just opening up tips for wage theft.

Imagine an owner saying their spouse is the book keeper, their child is the accountant, and a sibling is a web consultant.

They could all share in tips without doing a lick of work.

Restaraunts will also be free to pile on "service fees", which would invariably impact tips.

At this point, I'm leaning towards no. If they come back without the white collar tip sharing, ill reconsider.

Wait staff is opposed to it. They feel it would end up reducing their salaries.

Thoughts?

4 replies

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Highlight:

Ballot question 5: The minimum wage for tipped workers? (Original Post) getagrip_already Oct 9 OP

Would you work for a JMCKUSICK Oct 9 #1

The min wage is guarenteed.... getagrip_already Oct 9 #3

It is, but as a tipped worker, JMCKUSICK Oct 9 #4

White collar employees should not get tips! Kittycatkat Oct 9 #2

JMCKUSICK

(599 posts)

1. Would you work for a

Reply to getagrip_already (Original post)

Wed Oct 9, 2024, 07:06 PM

Oct 9

Conditional minimum wage?
I would vote for the full wage, if owners try to pull crap like that, they will soon lose their star employees to places that don't abuse workers or their rights
Just saying

getagrip_already

(17,537 posts)

3. The min wage is guarenteed....

Reply to JMCKUSICK (Reply #1)

Wed Oct 9, 2024, 07:22 PM

Oct 9

Workers get $15/hour even if the make zero in tips on a given shift.

What happens is tips subsidize the employers between $8.50 and $15.

If you make $100/hour in tips, you still get the min wage of $15/hour. If you dont get tips, you still earn $15/hour.

JMCKUSICK

(599 posts)

4. It is, but as a tipped worker,

Reply to getagrip_already (Reply #3)

Wed Oct 9, 2024, 09:28 PM

Oct 9

I'm being asked to take $6.50 per hour and pay it to myself so in essence, I'm making $8.50 per hour plus tips.
This is a really good time to rant for a second.
Restaurant employees have been getting harassed, stolen from, verbally and sexually abused in too many cases etc...
They should get every damn cent they can without having to subsidize their employer.
There's a great breakfast/lunch place down the street from me and I assure you that when they take their six week vacation every summer, their employees get bullies.
Most everyone has a defined income agreement that goes with their job salary, hourly rate etc.
Can you imagine working a job that pays hourly plus commission and the employer asking you to pay $6.50 per hour toward your hourly wage out of your commission?
Wait staff earn tips but you may be better off calling it a commission as they upsell, provide great service personality etc exactly the way a great salesperson does.
Just my thoughts

Kittycatkat

(1,734 posts)

2. White collar employees should not get tips!

Reply to getagrip_already (Original post)

Wed Oct 9, 2024, 07:16 PM

Oct 9

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