Robert Reich - The federal minimum wage for tipped workers has been an abhorrent $2.13 an hour since 1991. Meanwhile, America's 735 billionaires are now worth a collective $4.5 trillion.
Robert Reich - The federal minimum wage for tipped workers has been an abhorrent $2.13 an hour since 1991. Meanwhile, America's 735 billionaires are now worth a collective $4.5 trillion.
1 comment:
This as a bald statement is stupid; click bait. I like Reich, but for someone of his education it is disgraceful for him to come out with such a statement.
Per a quick google search tipping percentages have increased from 10% in the 1950s to more then 21% now. That is a doubling of the percentage, and since it is based on the a price that is increasing because of inflation, it is a significant increase. And the great thing for the tip recipients is they never have to look for a wage increase to keep up inflation.
And the next question I'd have is how many people actually are being paid that $2.13?
And lastly I'd much rather be on $2.13 per hour in a good restaurant where I can make $40-$50 per hour in tips rather than being on the non-tip minimum wage.
And the comparison to the billionaires is utterly irrelevant. You double, triple or quadruple that minimum wage and those billionaires are still going to have their $4.5TT. On the other hand, the prices we all pay in restaurants is going to go up.
Some actual research into the standard of living of the $2.13ph people when after tip money is included would be appreciated.
And I would note that the biggest hit to tip recipients may be because much of their tip money is now traceable (due to electronic payments of tips on credit/debit cards), and so taxable. Which we should consider good.
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