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John,
The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is low enough. Working 52 forty-hour weeks per year at this wage yields an unlivable $15,080 -- well below the $19,720 federal poverty level for a family of two.
But even harder to believe, the legal subminimum wage paid employees who depend on tips for their income has remained as low as $2.13 per hour in 43 states.
That comes out to a scandalous $4,430 per year for full time work, 52 weeks a year.
This is simply not a living wage. It is a license for the exploitation of workers by businesses, and it creates a hostile work environment where workers are forced to rely on the generosity of their customers to make up the difference. The resulting harassment and discrimination are built into these jobs.
Sign the petition and go on record to demand that Congress establish one fair minimum wage for all workers now!
Ironically, in the remaining 7 states where tipped workers receive the same minimum wage as other workers, restaurant industry growth is more robust, and workers even enjoy higher overall tips!
On the other hand, in states without such provisions, restaurants have no incentive to pay their workers the full minimum wage. Doing so would put them at an unfair disadvantage against businesses that get by with paying their staff starvation wages.
The subminimum wage digs deeper holes for workers, worsening existing discriminatory disparities in income. 70% of tipped workers are women, 43% are people of color, and they are working in industries with higher rates of sexual harassment compared to other industries.
The one piece of good news in this intolerable situation: Workers movements across the country are drawing attention to this debacle, and they want you to join them! Add your name and demand that Congress end the federal subminimum wage now!
Thank you for doing your part to put an end to this egregious economic mistreatment of American service workers, and ensuring that all who work are paid a fair federal minimum wage.
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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