What would you call it if a person went into a restaurant, took a tip off a table near them and used it to pay for a portion of their meal? It would be called “theft.” It is still theft is it does perpetrated by your boss. Many Philadelphia restaurant employers are taking workers tips and using the money to pay for their own business expenses.
On Nov. 1, at 10 am, in Room 400 in City Hall, you can make this tip-stealing illegal by supporting City Council Bill 110341. (Download the flyer here ttp://goo.gl/FXM15 )
The restaurant industry was one of the few sectors of the economy to continue to grow throughout the Great Recession. Restaurant owners are elevated to rock star status and their profits have grown accordingly. At the same time, though, the wages of restaurant workers remain among some of the lowest in the nation. In fact, a recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that restaurant and food related work are of the 6 of the 12 lowest paying jobs in America. http://goo.gl/VFhnO
Most restaurant workers earn poverty wages.
Despite that, a recent trend is taking hold at some of the most highly regarded restaurants in our city. Restaurant owners now regularly take out a portion of the credit card service usage fees (the percentage payment that credit cards companies charge to restaurants for the privilege of accepting credit cards as a form of payment) out of the tips of the workers.
Restaurant owners, without your or your server’s permission, are taking some of that tip and using it to pay for their businesses payment system.
What would you call it if a person went into a restaurant, took a tip off a table near them and used it to pay for a portion of their meal? It would be called “theft.”
The wide-spread, wage theft in our city needs to end.
On November 1 at 10 am, in City Council Room 400, Councilman Jim Kenney will introduce legislation to make it illegal for employers to take any portion of a worker tips to pay for the capital expense of accepting credit cards.
This legislation may effect taxi drivers, hair stylists and spa workers too.
Don’t expect this common-sense legislation to cruise through, though. Many powerful restaurant owners and their lobbying groups such as the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association and the Chamber of Commerce are putting pressure on our city leaders to prevent this from passing.
We cannot let them win.
Please join us and show your support for the Tip-Protection Bill on November 1 at 10 am in City Council Room 400.
ALSO, call these City Leaders and tell them to pass this bill!
Frank DiCicco’s office, (South Philly) ask for Sean McMonagle (sean.mcmonagle@phila.gov), 215-686-3459
Frank Rizzo’s office (At-Large) ask for Theresa Italiano (theresa.italiano@phila.gov) , 215-686-3440
Donna Reed Miller (Germantown/Chestnut Hill) ask for William Nesheiwat (william.nesheiwat@phila.gov) , 215-686-3424
Blondell Reynolds-Brown (At-Large) ask for David Forde (david.forde@phila.gov), 215-686-3438
Wilson Goode Jr. ask for Latrice Bryant (latrice.bryant@phila.gov) , 215-686-3414
Bill Greenlee ask for Noelle Marconi (noelle.marconi@phila.gov) , 215-686-3446
Darrell Clarke ask for William Carter (william.carter@phila.gov), 215-686-3443
Be sure to thanks Councilman Jim Kenny for sponsoring this legislation 215-686-3450!
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