WPRO News
A coalition of labor organizations and advocates are asking lawmakers to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers.
A new bill introduce by Representative Aaron Regunberg would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers from $2.89 per hour to $4.50 by January 1 2016. Regunberg says the wage hasn’t been raised in nearly 20 years.
“It’s a very gradual phase in, it’s a dollar fifty a year over the course of four or five years; and that’s designed with businesses in mind so that there isn’t a shock to the system,” said Regunberg.
The goal of the legislation would be to eventually raise the wage until it reaches the state minimum wage in 2020.
Policy organizer for Restaurant Opportunity Centers for RI Michael Arajo it’s time for the issue to be confronted.
“This is an issue that affects women more than men, and traditionally the wage gap has been so significant that it’s it has to be addressed,” said Arajo.
Arajo says restaurant owners should not be resistant to the change in wages because the states that have flat rates have seen an increase in business.
Seven states have abolished the tipped wage so service employees are paid at least the minimum wage before tips.
