Server wage insulting and ridiculous (Madison, Price: employment, buying, high school)

[fxsts]

Why is it, that there are employers out there that believe you can live on $2.33 an hour plus tips. There isn't a waitress or bus person or for that matter anyone in this state, that should be paid less than $12.00 an hour. A LIVING WAGE. If it raises the cost of eating out...so be it. Most of the people eating out pay by credit card. If people are willing to pay 17% interest on the card, why should a couple of dollars more to pay the servers and wait staff be a problem. Time to unionize and shut these robber barrons down!

[Milwaukee City]

Why is it, that there are employers out there that believe you can live on $2.33 an hour plus tips.

b/c their are people out their that will work for that price.

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by fxsts

Why is it, that there are employers out there that believe you can live on $2.33 an hour plus tips. There isn't a waitress or bus person or for that matter anyone in this state, that should be paid less than $12.00 an hour.

Restaurant owners want tipped employees to be forced to provide good service. If they make decent money no matter how well they do the job, there is less incentive to do a good job.

Note that I'm not defending the practice, just explaining it.

Also, note that both Madison and Dane County have Living Wage ordinances on their books, for their own employees. That means that the city council and the county board get the notion of higher wages keeping folks out of poverty.

[115db]

Originally Posted by katherkath

Hello,
I moved here from St. Paul, MN a few months ago and cannot believe that servers only make $2.33/hour in Madison. A server in the twin cities makes $6.50-$7/hour plus tips. On top of the non-existent hourly, tips in Madison are horrible. My friends tell me that the economy has suffered less here than other parts of the country yet I consistently average 15% in tips on my nightly sales. I work at a high-end restaurant in a wealthy part of town; my service involves wine pairing and presentation, often 3-course service, and I am good at what I do. I can't make enough money to pay my bills right now.
Has there ever been an initiative to raise the pay rate of servers here?
Please remember to tip your servers well-they make $2.33 and hour...

I too, waited tables for many years and back in Az, thats exactly all they make (except last time I worked as a server there the wage was 2.13 hr). I hear though that here in Calif you actually get the full min wage plus tips, but havent worked as a server here in years.
Whats mind boggling, and not trying to sound racist, but from experience, out in Az, many parts are still Indian country, and they dont pay taxes nor do they feel obligated to tip the servers, and many dont, thats why most servers hesitate to go wait their tables.

[JLR29]

I have waited tables in multiple states in the past, and it is very typical for servers to make that $2-3/hr. There are specific exemptions in the laws for tipped employees. The fact of the matter is that as a waiter, I made much more than the cooks, dishwashers, hostesses and bussers, all of who made a much higher hourly wage than me. I mean if you work at a high end restaurant that has moderate business, you should be ringing in 500-1000 dollars in food (100 bucks per table, 5-10 tables in a 8 hour shift, and I think that's probably conservative.). That means if you "only" get tipped 15% you are making between $10.54/hr and $21.08/hr. Not the best but pretty good and certainly not "insulting and ridiculous". This is not a new development in the restaurant business. Yes it would be better if servers were paid a higher wage, and labor just included in the meal. But that would disincentivize servers, who like me, bust their rumps and are usually paid accordingly.

I waited tables to make it through school, so I don't have to anymore. I think everyone should be required to wait tables, as it gives you unique perspective into what the people who bring you food have to go through. I NEVER tip less that 15% (unless there is assault or bodily fluids in my food). It is extremely hard work, but if you do a good job it can be extremely lucrative. To make it seem that restauranteurs are actually expecting people to live on $2.33/hr is simply disingenuous.

Just my 2 cents.

[kguru]

Tipping is an important way to encourage good service in restaurants. I would say that 15% is the amount I would give if the service was not good, and around 20% if the service was good. The servers should be able to do well if they don't have to share too much with the rest of the kitchen staff. If a manager is serving you, which sometimes does happen, the tip can be less generous as they are probably making quite a bit more pay. Fast food places shouldn't expect a tip. I did overhear from some Tropical Smoothie employees that they are paid as if they are tipped ($2 something an hour) and that rarely do people tip them as its not a sit down restaurant. The sit down restaurant tips help to encourage the server to keep your drinks filled and to be prompt about taking your order, and providing condiments. If the kitchen messes up something, it should be taken up with the restaurant manager to make it right. The server is usually not at fault (unless the server is not paying attention to your requests) and should still be tipped well if the kitchen had to correct an error.

[jjacobeclark]

Originally Posted by fxsts

Why is it, that there are employers out there that believe you can live on $2.33 an hour plus tips. There isn't a waitress or bus person or for that matter anyone in this state, that should be paid less than $12.00 an hour. A LIVING WAGE. If it raises the cost of eating out...so be it. Most of the people eating out pay by credit card. If people are willing to pay 17% interest on the card, why should a couple of dollars more to pay the servers and wait staff be a problem. Time to unionize and shut these robber barrons down!

Since when do most people pay by credit card? I would say most people pay by debit or check cards, which have no interest rates attached to them.

You honestly believe some high school kid deserves to make $12 an hour working at McDonald's? I could go along with a living wage, but only if tax and tip were included in the price of everything like it is in the European Union.

[fxsts]

Yes, a high school kid working at Mickey'd's should be paid $12.00 per hour. Why not? $12.00 is chump change to all you high rollers that live beyond your means, drive high priced cars, and then go to Micky'D's for lunch.It always amazes me, that those who appear to live high off the hog, can be found at the dollar store and Walmart.
Anyone who would complain about paying an employee $12.00 per hour doesn't deserve my business.
To the wait staff of this State, i commend you and because you are so underpaid, I tip accordingly. If dinner takes two hours, I tip $24.00, no matter what the meal cost. An hour or under, $12.00.
People please put your money where your mouth is!

[ccjarider]

Originally Posted by fxsts

Yes, a high school kid working at Mickey'd's should be paid $12.00 per hour. Why not? $12.00 is chump change to all you high rollers that live beyond your means, drive high priced cars, and then go to Micky'D's for lunch.It always amazes me, that those who appear to live high off the hog, can be found at the dollar store and Walmart.
Anyone who would complain about paying an employee $12.00 per hour doesn't deserve my business.
To the wait staff of this State, i commend you and because you are so underpaid, I tip accordingly. If dinner takes two hours, I tip $24.00, no matter what the meal cost. An hour or under, $12.00.
People please put your money where your mouth is!

This person has absolutely no clue as to: 1)economics, 2)supply/demand or 3)human nature. Must be a social worker, gov't employee twit or public school teacher. Fxts - have you ever had to make payroll? For that matter have you ever worked in the private sector? jeesh what a friggin idiot.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by fxsts

Why is it, that there are employers out there that believe you can live on $2.33 an hour plus tips.

Why is it that some people believe that a living wage should be paid for every job?