What can I do to Save the Tip Credit and Server Tips?
Join with your peers and other industry supporters to tell lawmakers to keep the tip credit and SAVE OUR TIPS! Being there shows your support for Servers and other tipped employees who are testifying at the PG County Council hearing later that afternoon.
Date & Time: October 12th
Time: 11:00am
Location: Jasper’s Restaurant / 9640 Lottsford Road, Largo, MD 20774
The Montgomery County Council AND the Prince George’s County Council are considering legislation that would eliminate the tip credit. Eliminating the tip credit means that servers, bartenders and other tipped employees must be paid the full minimum wage of $15/ hour instead of the current $4/hour (in MoCo) or $3.63/hr (in PG) plus tips. Under the current tipping system, the average server makes anywhere from $25-$40 an hour.
In order to pay for this increase in a server’s base wage, restaurants will be forced to raise menu prices AND put mandatory service charges on every customer check. Research clearly shows that customers will not tip on top of a service charge. As a result – servers will make less money because they won’t be getting significant tips, customers will pay higher prices, and restaurants won’t be able to retain servers because they won’t work for a flat rate of $15/hour without tips. EVERYONE LOSES.
If these County Council members do not hear strong opposition from Servers, Bartenders, Owners and the Public this bill will pass and EVERYONE LOSES.
Every restaurant and every tipped employee must stand up to help our peers in these jurisdictions defeat this legislation. The time to take action is NOW!
OTHER IMPORTANT ACTIONS TO TAKE:
If you are currently a Server or Bartender in Montgomery or Prince George’s County – take a quick, anonymous survey: https://corcominc.
Create a short Video! Make a quick video explaining why the current tipping system works for you and that you don’t want things to change. Text your video to: 443-752-2899 (Please understand that we may share your video on social media and use for other purposes to tell the story of why Servers and Bartenders want to keep the tip credit).
Send a message to your county council representative. Tell them to Keep the Tip Credit because you earn more money under the current system. Tell them you are not asking for any changes and that a national activist organization does not speak on your behalf!
Montgomery County – text TIPS to 52886
Prince George’s County – text SERVER to 52886
Outside of these jurisdictions (yes, you can show your support) – text DINING to 52886
Sign up to meet with a member of the Montgomery or Prince George’s County Council and/or testify at the hearing. Email: bmahoney@marylandrestaurants.
Prince George’s County Hearing – October 12 at 1:30pm
Montgomery County Hearing – October 17 at 1:30pm
Donate to RAM to help us fight with Servers, Bartenders and other tipped employees to keep their high paying jobs!
