A push continues to reverse a rule that would bring tipped workers in Michigan, like servers and bartenders, up to a minimum wage that’s the same as all other workers in the state.
John Sellek is with Save MI Tips and is opposed to giving tipped workers the usual minimum wage.
“Their ability to earn way more than the minimum wage is going to be dashed, and they’re going to be placed on the same minimum wage as everyone else,” Sellek said. “They feel at that point, customers will think, ‘OK, our current deal where we know that you’re tipped based on how hard you worked for us, how much you knew about the food, how fun and friendly you are, how much hospitality is given, that deal will be thrown out the window,’ and suddenly, you’re just going to be a minimum wage worker just as if you were a cashier.”
The Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments on Thursday. Because the minimum wage, as of January 1 of 2024, is only $10.33 an hour, this would represent a major pay cut for many restaurant servers.
