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Restaurant workers deserve more than a sub-minimum wage, and DC voters agree. In 2022 voters overwhelmingly supported Initiative 82 to raise wages for restaurant workers. But now, like Initiative 77 before it, elected leaders are trying to undo it. 

Mayor Bowser's recent budget proposal includes an attempt to repeal Initiative 82. On top of that, last week, Councilmember McDuffie introduced emergency legislation to pause the next wage increase which is scheduled for July 1. Pausing July 1's scheduled increase is a slippery slope that undermines the integrity of this law. 

The DC Council will consider both issues this week, and they need to hear from you that restaurant workers deserve fair wages. Union members and allies, call DC Council and tell them to make NO CHANGES to Initiative 82.

“Mayor Bowser has made it clear that, in this moment where DC and our country are under unprecedented threat, she thinks she can appease President Trump by targeting working people and immigrants," said Paul Schwalb, Executive-Secretary Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 25 said in a statement. "The Council needs to vote to honor the crystal-clear desires of DC voters, and start pushing back against Bowser’s attacks on workers."

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