Massachusetts voters have rejected a ballot measure that would have raised the minimum wage for tipped workers to $15 an hour independent of gratuities. The measure, known as Question 5, was defeated by a wide margin, with 63.9% of voters rejecting it.
Supporters of the measure argued that it would increase and stabilize the pay of service employees who rely on inconsistent tips. However, opponents warned that it could ultimately decrease pay for workers who currently earn more than $15 per hour when tips are factored in.
The restaurant industry, which has been struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, strongly opposed the measure. Owners and servers expressed concerns that it would lead to higher operating costs and ultimately hurt smaller businesses.
The advocacy group One Fair Wage, which pushed for the ballot measure, expressed disappointment in the outcome but vowed to continue fighting for fair wages for service workers in Massachusetts.
A study by the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that tipped workers in Massachusetts earn an average of just over $20 per hour, including tips. The study also noted that women outnumber men two-to-one in tipped jobs.
While the outcome of the ballot measure is a setback for advocates of fair wages for tipped workers, the debate over how to fairly compensate service employees is likely to continue in Massachusetts and beyond.
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Photo credit www.masslive.com
