The union-backed group pushing to kill the tip credit has veered from that mission to accuse the National Restaurant Association of fostering the exploitation of children in the workplace.
One Fair Wage and a Union says the trade association has lobbied aggressively to weaken regulations that prohibit teens from serving alcohol or working past a certain hour—usually 7 p.m.—on a night preceding a school day.
It also accuses the group of pushing to end requirements that young teens obtain work permits before looking for a job. The certification process typically verifies that the youths’ parents and schools are okay with the youngsters taking a position.
The accusations follow efforts in at least 10 states to ease restrictions on how many hours teenage workers can log on a weekly or nightly basis. At least a few also call for ending the work-certification process.
Iowa passed legislation that permits 16 and 17-year-olds to serve but not take orders for alcoholic beverages. Tennessee allows minors of those ages to work in establishments where at least 25% of the revenues are generated from alcohol sales.
The states have acted to ease the restrictions in attempts to deepen what employers say is a too-shallow labor pool. With unemployment under 4%, many businesses say they’re unable to find job candidates. Restaurants, the private sector’s second largest employer, is often leading that chorus.
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