Massachusetts Voters Protect the Right To Work for Tips
Massachusetts voters have decisively rejected a measure to abolish the tipped wage, declining to require that restaurants and related employers replace the current pay scheme—which allows them to compensate employees with a lower base wage supplemented with gratuities—with the state-mandated hourly minimum.
Had the measure passed, the law would have gradually upped hourly pay for tipped employees until it ultimately reached $15 an hour, Massachusetts’ current minimum wage, in January 2029. The state’s tipped wage is $6.75 an hour—although employees often make considerably more than minimum wage with gratuities. If an employee’s tips fall short of boosting them to the minimum wage, employers are already required to make up the difference.
The vote comes amid an ongoing tug-of-war across the U.S. over how muscular a role the government should play in regulating compensation for tipped workers—a debate that has subverted typical partisan lines. Spearheaded by the One Fair Wage Plus Tips MA Committee, the campaign hoped to have Massachusetts join eight states—Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Michigan, along with Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Illinois—that have eliminated, or are in the process of eliminating, the tipped wage.
But despite being primarily a left-leaning rallying cry, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lieutenant Gov. Kim Driscoll, both Democrats, joined a long list of liberals and progressives to come out against the policy, citing their past work as waitresses who experienced how lucrative tipped employment can be.
Healey took it a step further. “I think it’s important to vote no on this be
Article from Latest
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
