Some server's make a lot of money -- many don't -- This petition is for those who don't. The minimum federally mandated hourly rate for server's has been $2.13 for 24 years.
Restaurants are required to close the gap between the $2.13 hourly rate the minimum hourly pay in their state. Most do not do this and server's are left making less than the minimum hourly wage.
Signing this petition will help Congress see the need for change.
Please consider the following examples:
If the minimum wage is $7.50 an hour and the server makes $175 for 30 hours minimum wage is reached.
If the minimum wage is $7.50 an hour and the server makes $250.00 for 30 hours the hourly rate becomes approximately $10.50 per hour.
If the federal government raised the server's pay to $6.13 per hour is would increase the hourly rate to approximately $11.50 to $14.50 in the same scenarios as above.
This $4.00 increase per hour would make all the difference in the world. And, get the government out of the business of supplementing restaurant employees who are not making a living wage.
Sure, they can change jobs. But many don't have enough education or are working to support themselves while in school. Whatever the circumstances, 24 YEARS IS A LONG TIME WITHOUT AN INCREASE.
No matter how good their service is or how good their attitude is, server's are dependent on the customer's kindness, mood and the kitchen working up to par. This can not always be banked on.
Please help this large group of workers get a fair shake and for restaurants to take responsibility for following the laws already in place.
Honorable Members of Congress,
Please consider increasing restaurant server's hourly rate. It has been $2.13 for 24 years and has not increased proportionately with the minimum wage increases.
Also, please create a policy for restaurants to follow that will ensure that all servers are making at least the minimum wage. And, that restaurants close this gap if not. This is now a law, but restaurants are not always following the letter of this law.
And further, create a law that requires restaurants to pay the minimum wage for all non-tip work, before and after the shift. An example of this is spending an 30 or 45 minutes cutting lemons for fish and tea. The law now requires restaurants to pay minimum for non-tip work that exceeds 30 minutes. This is kitchen work and no one should be doing it for $2.13 an hour. Ever.
Thank you for all your consideration.
Very truly yours,
