The restaurant industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U-S economy - employing more than 10-million workers nationwide. A new report confirms, however, that growth doesn't include high-paying jobs with benefits. Called "Tipped Over the Edge," it cites the federal sub-minimum wage as part of the problem. Employers can pay tipped workers as little as two dollars and 13 cents an hour in Wyoming, with tips assumed to boost their pay. Dan Neal with the Equality State Policy Center says in a frontier state like Wyoming, it's uncommon to make a lot through tips.
The report also zeroes in on who the lowest-wage workers are in the restaurant industry and finds they're overwhelmingly women. Neal says there are other downsides, too. He cites state statistics on the lack of benefits.
Employers in Wyoming do have to add to the tip jar if not enough comes in to bring the hourly rate up to the regular federal minimum. The report recommends raising the minimum to just over five dollars an hour, something the National Restaurant Association opposes, saying that business owners can't afford to raise worker pay. The report recommends that workers be able to earn paid sick days
The report also zeroes in on who the lowest-wage workers are in the restaurant industry and finds they're overwhelmingly women. Neal says there are other downsides, too. He cites state statistics on the lack of benefits.
Employers in Wyoming do have to add to the tip jar if not enough comes in to bring the hourly rate up to the regular federal minimum. The report recommends raising the minimum to just over five dollars an hour, something the National Restaurant Association opposes, saying that business owners can't afford to raise worker pay. The report recommends that workers be able to earn paid sick days
No comments:
Post a Comment