Elimination of the tipped wage would be harmful to restaurant workers and Ohio’s hospitality community.

Outside special interest groups are gathering signatures to pass a constitutional amendment in November 2024 that would raise the minimum wage for tipped and non-tipped employees and eliminate the tipped wage that is so important to restaurant servers and tipped workers, Ohio’s restaurant and hospitality industry, the dining public, Ohio communities and Ohio’s economic vitality.

 

The Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA), in collaboration with Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, will delve into the implications of recent legislative developments, particularly the potential elimination of the Tipped Wage in Ohio. The Tipped Wage has long been a crucial aspect of compensation for employees in the hospitality sector, and its elimination could have profound effects on businesses in our state.

 

Monday, March 11, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. – One-hour meeting followed by interview opportunities for the media

Marathon Center for the Performing Arts

200 W Main Cross St.

Findlay, OH 45840

Reservations preferred, rsvp@FindlayHancockAlliance.com

 

Participants will include:

• Tod Bowen, Managing Director of External Affairs and Government Relations, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance
• Andy Piccolantonio, Managing Director of Membership and Business Development, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance

 

The Ohio restaurant industry is the state’s second largest private sector employer employing more than 500,000 people. A strong hospitality community attracts visitors, businesses and future residents into the region. If this measure passes, Ohio would be at a competitive disadvantage to nearby states that continue to allow tipped wages.

The earning potential of a tipped wage is why many individuals choose the restaurant industry as a first job, a side job for extra income and as a career. The current tipping system provides substantial earning opportunities for workers across many industries, especially restaurant servers and bartenders, well beyond the current minimum wage and the proposed $15 minimum wage. Currently, the median income for tipped servers is $27 an hour, far above the proposed changes, so eliminating the tipped wage would negatively impact servers and their earning potential.

If passed, this measure will nearly triple the amount employers pay tipped employees (tips withstanding). Additionally, it could force restaurant operators to raise prices charged to guests, decrease their workforce, or close their doors altogether. Eliminating the tipped wage would be especially harmful to small and independent Ohio restaurant operators, their employees, and to those in Ohio’s smaller cities and towns.

 

About the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance

For more than a century, the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) has proudly served Ohio’s restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. Focused on uniting Ohio’s hospitality community and founded on thought leadership, the Alliance provides sound business solutions for members through advocacy, education, events and select products & services. For more information, visit eatdrinkohio.org.