BALTIMORE — This year, minimum wage in Maryland increased to $15 an hour, but a coalition of labor activists say a big part of the workforce was left behind: servers and bartenders who rely on tips.
A proposed bill would ensure tipped workers are paid minimum wage, but not all restaurant employees are on board.
Some restaurant workers say Senate Bill 160 or the ‘One Fair Wage Act’ would help stabilize their income, while others say it would take a major toll on their livelihood.
Thursday, members of a national coalition called One Fair Wage rallied outside of the state house in support of senate bill 160.
“It is time for the country to pay these workers a full minimum wage with tips on top,” said One Fair Wage President, Saru Jayaramam.
Sponsored by Senators Cory McCray and Arthur Ellis, the ‘One Fair Wage Act’ would phase out the subminimum wage for tipped workers in maryland, which currently sits at $3.63 per hour. Workers would instead be paid minimum wage plus tips.