STATEWIDE – The newly passed minimum wage increase officially becomes law on Saturday, January 7th. However, some legislators want to amend the voter approved pay raise soon after it goes in the books.
Last year, voters approved an hourly pay increase. But the referendum eliminated a critical element for restaurant servers. What’s known as the tip credit was stricken from the labor law with the passage of the referendum.
Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau said “{Essentially, that’s 50 percent of the minimum wage. And that the restaurant server, the person that’s taking really good care of you at the restaurant, makes up the rest of their salary through what you leave for a tip on the table.”
To amend the referendum, it must first become law. So, while the legislature convenes Wednesday January 4th, it can’t take any action to amend, until the measure actually is a law. Since election day, legislative leaders have had several meetings with restaurant owners and employees.
“They are all very concerned they want to make sure that there’s an effort to restore this tip credit. We don’t want to change the culture of the restaurant industry. And quite, frankly end up with servers making considerably less than they already do.” added Thibodeau.
Shortly after November’s results, servers voiced concern about potential income loss.
Waitress Michelle Verge said “They’re not sure what to do. They don’t know if they should continue tipping, they think that when the minimum wage goes up and everybody starts getting paid nine dollars an hour that servers are also going to get nine dollars an hour. And that’s just not true.”
Thibodeau stated “It looks like there is beginning to be momentum toward finding a solution to this and restoring that tip credit. That would be good for Maine’s restaurant industry and servers as well.”
Thibodeau believes two-thirds of the legislators will support the effort to amend the minimum wage increase referendum, including the tip credit.
Attempts to contact democratic leaders in the senate Monday were unsuccessful.
