Skip to main content

One to Keep An Eye On: Initiative 77 (Washington D.C.)


As with many employment and labor law related bills (and cases) being litigated around the country, there are always a few that stand out.

This is one to keep an eye on,


On June 19th, voters in Washington D.C. will vote on Initiative 77 which would ultimately do away with the lower 'tipped wage' (currently $3.33/hour for tipped workers) and would gradually phase in an hourly wage rate of $15/hour by 2026.  This proposal would impact tipped workers in the city such as waiters, waitresses, bartenders, etc.  Proponents of the measure argue this Initiative is necessary to limit the amount of harassment tipped workers are subjected to in order to make enough tips to supplement their $3.33/hour pay rate.  As well, it has been argued that if the measure were approved, it would limit the 'tip theft' that some employers engage in, to the detriment of their tipped employees.

However, opponents of Initiative 77 have pointed out that if employers are forced to pay higher labor costs, that could result in layoffs, fewer hours, and the increased labor costs ultimately being passed on to customers, among other possible negative outcomes.

It will be interesting to see how voters decide the matter in a few weeks.  At this point, I could easily see the matter going either way.  Stay tuned.


For additional information:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/should-dc-restaurants-pay-minimum-wage-ballot-measure-debate-gets-heated/2018/05/30/ca1bca86-6394-11e8-99d2-0d678ec08c2f_story.html?utm_term=.3992fd8f9803

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NLRB: Discussion Among Employees About Tip Pooling is Protected Concerted Activity

  This Advice Memorandum from the National Labor Relations Board’s Associate General Counsel, Jayme Sophir, addressed whether employees which discussed and complained about tip pooling at work constituted protected concerted activity. In relevant part, an employer in New York operated a chain of steakhouses.  While tip pooling was in place at these steakhouses, some of the employees objected to it on the grounds that it was not transparent and improperly divided tips among the workers.  Employees were told not to complain or talk to each other about the tip pool and were told that doing so would endanger their jobs.  Despite the employer later attempting to provide some clarity as to how the tips were being divided, rancor still existed among some employees.  At one point, the employees were told by a general manager that some employees that had been talking about the tip pool were “cleared out” and the employer would continue to do so. In the Advice Memorandum,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breaking: Labor Secretary Rumored to Be Leaving Administration

A few hours ago, word leaked out that Labor Secretary Marty Walsh (“Walsh”) is in the midst of negotiations to head up the NHL Players Union and leave his position at the Labor Department. Walsh, who has served as the sole Labor Secretary under President Biden, has taken part in a labor renaissance of sorts as support for organized labor has increased during his term as Labor Secretary (although the number of workers that have joined a union over the past two years has not grown as mush as some expected.)  He has also overseen the ongoing negotiations with rail workers over a new contract, although that matter is still on shaky ground and playing out as we speak. As for who might step into the vacant Labor Secretary role, there are already rumblings that President Biden should nominate Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su (a strong labor advocate) or even a progressive like Senator Bernie Sanders.  Until Walsh officially gives his notice, however, I would expect some/many potential...
Post a Comment
Read more

San Diego Rolls Back Vaccine Mandate For City Workers

Last Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted to do away with the vaccine mandate for city employees. The city’s vaccine mandate that was in place required city workers to get the coronavirus vaccine or risk termination.  Perhaps to this surprise of no one, the city’s policy came under fire with 14 employees being terminated and over 100 other employees resigning.  With the coronavirus subsiding, including in Southern California, the San Diego City Council took action. Now, bear in mind, the repeal of the vaccine mandate does not take place immediately. With that being said, the mandate will be repealed March 8th.  I suppose the question now is, what other cities or regions follow San Diego’s lead? For additional information:   https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-01-24/san-diego-repeals-controversial-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-citing-drop-in-cases-hospitalizations
Post a Comment
Read more