Washington, D.C., city council members are angling to overturn Initiative 77, a District-wide referendum that would substantially raise the minimum wage for tipped workers like waiters and bartenders.
A spokesperson for D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said a bill repealing Initiative 77 could be introduced as early as Tuesday’s council meeting, reported WTOP. The referendum passed 55 to 45 percent on June 19, reported Washington City Paper. At least six out of 13 council members are expected to oppose Initiative 77, reported WTOP.
Those in opposition to Initiative 77 say it will cause higher menu prices and staff layoffs in D.C.’s restaurant scene. Those in support say that the minimum wage of $3.89 an hour for tipped servers is unsustainable. (RELATED: ‘Significant Milestone’: Starbucks Joins The Anti-Straw Craze)
Restaurants and bars in D.C. can pay tipped workers below minimum wage provided the employees’ tips boost them to the current minimum wage of $13.25, reported Washington City Paper. Minimum wage for non-tipped workers in D.C. will be $15 by 2020 by law. Initiative 77 would raise minimum wage for tipped workers to $15 by 2026. Seven states already pay their tipped workers minimum wage before tips.
It is unknown whether council members will fully repeal Initiative 77 or dilute it by cutting the new minimum wage or extending its deadline, reported Washington City Paper. D.C. City Council has considered other bills regulating its restaurant industry this session like a measure that would ban restaurants from going cashless because it is a “discriminatory” practice.
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