The federal minimum wage for tipped workers is currently just $2.13 an hour and because the tipped minimum wage is not tied to the regular minimum wage it has not been increased in over 20 years. Most tipped workers are surviving mainly on tips.

The Restaurant Opportunities Center-DC, Institute for Policy Studies, and Busboys & Poets invite you to hear D.C. restaurant workers’ voices on why raising tipped minimum wage and paid sick days are vital to raising the standard of living in one of D.C.’s fastest growing industries. Also hear from policy experts on why raising the tipped minimum wage and providing paid sick days for restaurant workers will help mitigate inequality in Washington, D.C.

The Washington, D.C. City Council introduced bills that would raise the tipped minimum wage and provide paid sick days for tipped restaurant workers in Washington, D.C. So we invite you to hear the voices of workers whose lives will be positively impacted by this legislation and hear why this legislation is a women’s rights and income inequity issue.