Hampton Social Workers in Florida Are Steamed About Ditching Tips For Gratuities | Eater Chicago

"At the Delray Beach location of a nationally branded, coastal‑themed restaurant chain, workers protested outside on Thursday, October 24 after being told on Monday, October 21 about a new pay plan that introduces a 20 percent customer surcharge and, they say, would cut wages for front‑of‑house staff. Workers held signs reading “#ParkerHospitalityGreed.” According to the Orlando Sentinel, staff were told their minimum wages would be cut by $2 and that 2 percent of the 20 percent gratuity would go to management, with the remaining 18 percent going to servers, busers, and other front‑of‑house staff; the company’s founder says the 2 percent covers credit‑card fees. Management told workers they had until Thursday, October 24 to agree to the pay plan and said the proposal is based on a federal law that exempts some workers from overtime pay. The founder adds that the gratuity protects workers from bad tippers and that the plan offers more flexibility in scheduling and will create a “more sustainable business model,” and that workers should be able to earn just as much or even more under the new system. Local wage context: Orlando’s minimum wage is $13 per hour for non‑tipped workers and $9.98 for tipped workers; a manager at the restaurant said his earnings would be slashed from $11.90 an hour to $3 an hour, plus tips, while a server and corporate trainer estimated a $12,000 annual loss." - Ashok Selvam