SOUTH BOUND BROOK – In this hardscrabble river town, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka this afternoon threw on an apron and moved among the tables of this local diner, taking orders and serving workers and labor organizers.
“Coke or Sprite?” he asked.
“Sprite.”
“Sprite.”
“Sprite is popular here,” Baraka deadpanned.
A moment later – “What kind of dressing?”
“Ranch.”
Baraka wrote down the orders and moved to the next table.
“We’re trying to make sure tip workers across New Jersey are getting the same minimum wage as everybody else,” said the Democratic candidate for governor, who stands in solidarity with the thousands of tipped service workers paid just $5.26 an hour before tips in a state with a $15.49 minimum wage.
“It’s insane,” said Baraka. “The people who are opposed to it have a large influence, and we want to make our economy is equitable and inclusive to all people.”
Hosted by One Fair Wage, the event highlighted the urgent need to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers and ensure they receive a full, fair minimum wage with tips on top.
“We represent 100,000 tipped workers,” said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage. “Tips have gone way down since the pandemic. …Living on a subminimum wage on tips is really unreliable. Tips go up and down. Your rent and cost of living only goes up.”
Malika Henderson, a career bartender, knows all about the subject.
“We’re looking for a fair and livable wage,” she said. “No one should have to solely depend on tips. They’re inconsistent. Subminimum has gone on too long. It’s time they change it. The instability has not allowed me to get to the next level. Whatever momentum you gain gets halted and you’re too busy, in survival mode.
“We want to thrive not just survive,” she added.
Fekkak Mamdouh has worked his entire life in the restaurant business. He worked in Windows on the World the morning before 9/11 where many of his coworkers perished.
“As a survivor of 9/11, I am dedicated to the issue because I saw the suffering of families after the deaths of my colleagues,” Mamdouh told InsiderNJ. “People who oppose this need to come and work for one day. Do what the mayor is doing today and see if you can survive on what you make. People don’t know the reality of what restaurant worker s and tip workers go through. Understand, an owner will never say, ‘Because it was slow today, I’m giving you more money.’ It’s really ridiculous that we are fighting for a minimum wage. It’s time for it to change.”
Baraka, a popular restaurant in New Jersey, has taken a stand in support of tipped service workers by implementing a new policy that ensures fair wages and treatment for its employees. This move comes in response to the ongoing debate surrounding the tipping system in the restaurant industry and the challenges faced by workers who rely on tips to make a living.
Under the new policy, all service workers at Baraka will receive a base hourly wage that is above the minimum wage, in addition to any tips they may earn. This ensures that employees are guaranteed a fair and stable income, regardless of fluctuations in tips or slow business periods. The restaurant has also committed to providing benefits such as paid time off and health insurance to its employees, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting its workers.
Baraka’s decision to support tipped service workers in solidarity is a significant step towards addressing the inequities and uncertainties faced by many in the industry. Tipped workers are often vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination, as their income is largely dependent on the generosity of customers. By guaranteeing a fair wage and benefits for its employees, Baraka is setting a positive example for other restaurants to follow.
In addition to its internal policies, Baraka has also been actively involved in advocating for legislative changes to support tipped workers. The restaurant has participated in campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of fair wages and treatment for service workers, and has lobbied for policies that protect the rights of employees in the industry.
Overall, Baraka’s support for tipped service workers is a commendable effort to promote fairness and equality in the restaurant industry. By taking a stand in solidarity with its employees, the restaurant is setting a new standard for how businesses can support and empower their workers. Hopefully, more restaurants will follow suit and prioritize the well-being of their employees in the future.
