Being rewarded for hard work and dedication is familiar and respected in the United States. Whether winning a sports game or graduating from high school, people are frequently recognized with a trophy, a celebration, or simply a genuine sense of accomplishment.
In this year’s 2024 election, Massachusetts voters are deciding five ballot questions covering a variety of complex issues–one of these includes changing the minimum wage for serving employees (tipped workers) in the state. Question 5 states that if an employer pays an hourly wage that is at least state minimum wage, the employer would be permitted to administer a tip pool–where direct tips to servers from their customers would be divided up between all restaurant employees present–including those who did not interact with customers or the public.
Working for nearly three years at The Rivershed, a local restaurant that recently closed, I witnessed (in the back and front of the house) how diligently servers worked every day. Irrespective of customer traffic, the servers wanted to satisfy customers. I observed the system’s highs and lows and the money they were bringing home—most significantly, their reliance on the tips they were earning.
Currently, the server minimum wage is $6.75 an hour for employees tipped out every shift. These tips cover and regularly exceed the $15.00 per hour standard Massachusetts minimum wage. What is not commonly recognized, however, is that if a server does not meet at least the minimum wage hourly with their tips by the end of the night, management must pay them the minimum wage. This contradicts the concern that servers do not already make the minimum wage.
SHS English teacher Dana Saunders works as a server to supplement her income. When asked about her position regarding Question 5, she stated, “I think people don’t understand what the question is asking them to vote on…people have this idea that waitresses are not making the minimum wage already.”
Saunders is generally pleased with the quick money from weekend tips, making her a confident advocate for voting “no” on Question 5. She is concerned about the effect on employees and customers if the question passes on November 5th: “Restaurants rely on the consumer to make up for the minimum wage,” Saunders explained, “If the Question 5 vote passes, the quality of service will go down, with servers receiving less money.”
It is important to understand if this voting were to conclude with a “yes,” the normalized tipping culture of compensating servers with an average of 20 percent would diminish through customers who are under the impression that servers already receive minimum wage and do not need the additional tip.
Though not tipping saves you money as a customer, if you go out to eat, the cost of tipping your server is naturally expected in the United States. With this idea growing so normalized, the tips a server walks away heavily contribute to their personal income. Those opposed to keeping their compensation the same may fail to put themselves in the shoes of these workers who dedicate so much of their working life to serving customers.
Waiters work far too hard and endure far too much stress to have some of their financial rewards decreased by the passing of Question 5. With a simple no vote, Massachusetts customers can continue the support and reward given to servers for years.