WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Wednesday marks one year since D.C. voters passed Initiative 82, raising the minimum wage for tipped workers. It passed with an overwhelming 74% majority, first being implemented in May.
But six months later, is it working?
One Fair Wage members and supporters were at Busboys and Poets in Northwest, D.C., where supporters celebrated the anniversary despite opposition that continues from some.
Most customers DC News Now talked with are in favor of tipped workers making more money. But almost everyone can agree that the rollout has been confusing, with restaurants adding service fees and extra charges. Meanwhile, customers don’t know exactly where their money is going.
Initiative 82 will eventually eliminate the tipped minimum wage as it increases from what was $5.35 an hour. The first increase was to $6 on May 1 and the second increase was to $8 on July 1.
“I don’t believe that it should fall on the customers to be paying my wage. It should be my employer. My employer should be paying me $15 an hour,” said Olivia Loibner.
Loibner is a former tipped worker who wants to see others make more but says the I-82 rollout has been subpar.
“I think customers are just very confused about do they tip, should they tip?” Loibner said. “The reality is like we’re still taking home the bare minimum, $15 an hour, which is still not enough to make a living off of in D.C....
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