A three-judge panel of the D.C. Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a ballot initiative that would eliminate the tipped wage in D.C. can remain on the November ballot, putting the controversial issue one step closer to being decided by voters.
In an eight-page ruling, the judges rejected arguments from the restaurant industry that the D.C. Board of Elections had erred in counting the number of signatures gathered by proponents of Initiative 82 to put the measure on the November ballot.
If approved by voters, the initiative would slowly phase out the tipped wage system, which allows restaurant to pay workers who collect tips $5.05 an hour, and to make up the difference if their tips don’t get them to the city’s $16.10 minimum wage. If implemented, the initiative would instead require that those workers be paid the city’s prevailing minimum wage by 2027.
D.C. voters approved a similar initiative in 2018, but it was overturned by the D.C. Council under pressure from the restaurant industry and some bar and restaurant workers.
Proponents of eliminating the tipped wage — seven states currently don’t have one — celebrated the ruling, and predicted that D.C. voters would again cast ballots in their favor. They say that the tipped wage system gives employers too much power and can result in pay disparities.
“It’s time to put the ‘Great Resignation’ in the past and raise wages to create a level playing field for D.C. businesses and get restaurant workers back to work,” said Saru...
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