Work Reform

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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.

Our Philosophies:

All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.

Our Goals

Higher wages for underpaid workers.
Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
Better and fewer working hours.
Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.

founded 2 years ago

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159

McDonald's criticizes US restaurant industry for uneven wage policies (apnews.com)

submitted 5 days ago by bytesonbike@discuss.online to c/workreform@lemmy.world

43 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Kempczinski also noted that in many states, sit-down restaurants are allowed to pay servers as little as $2.13 per hour, a federal minimum set in 1991, with tips making up the rest of their pay.

“So right now, there’s an uneven playing field. If you are a restaurant that allows tips or has tips as part of your equation, you’re essentially getting the customer to pay for your labor and you’re getting an extra benefit from no taxes on tips,” Kempczinski said.

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[–] JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

It's appreciable to want to be compensated directly, however that means not all servers are compensated equally for their time. Instead of a division between labour and ownership, tipping allows division to fester between labourers.

A few places in my area have removed gratuities and raised staff compensation, and the workers there enjoy not only feeling on par with their coworkers, but also the stability of having a consistent and predictable income.

That said, it's understandable why changing the gratuity policy might seem offensive if your example of wait staff pocketing 75% of the revenue is anywhere close to accurate. I wouldn't want it changed either.