Republican Bill to Lower Wages in Seven States

[Robbien]

<snip>
But here's the really sick part: The Republican minimum wage bill, which may come to a vote on the Senate floor by the end of this week, would actually cut the salaries of hundreds of thousands of workers across seven states. The way the law passed by the House last week is written, employers in every state would be allowed to lower the base wage they pay and count tips earned toward meeting minimum wage requirements. Most states already have laws that provide for a lower minimum wage for workers such as waiters and waitresses who earn tips but, if passed, the new federal law would override laws in seven states that mandate no minimum wage difference for those earning tips at their jobs.

Here's the states where the minimum wage is the same for tipped and non-tipped employees:

The Republican law would dictate a rock-bottom minimum of $2.13 per hour for workers receiving gratuities in all states -- including those seven -- with the difference between that and their state-mandated minimum wage made up with the tips that they currently get above and beyond the higher wage.

So, for a waiter in California, the new law would amount to a salary cut of $4.62 per hour, where the person who used to make $6.75 per hour plus tips, would now only make $2.13 an hour plus tips. Similarly, a bartender in Alaska would lose $5.02 an hour. If they failed to make enough tips to hit their state's minimum wage, the employer would make up the difference.

"Everything that has been achieved in seven states to support low-wage workers who earn tips is destroyed by this bill," said Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) "This bill would slash the salaries of thousands of workers."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-geiger/republican-bill-to-lower-_b_26309.html

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. Yup! But hey! Don't worry

so says the Cons. The STATE will take care of those minor details. Those people that are affected will only have to wait a year a two while it gets wrangled through their state legislatures.

At least that is what the smug pug controlling the debate on the Con side said.

:argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh:

[XOKCowboy]

4. Don't think that this wasn't deliberate...

This is totally in keeping with how they view wage earners as merely another expense of doing business. A liability instead of an asset. The cheaper they can get their labor (just like any other business supply) the more they personally can make. It makes no difference that we're talking about human beings.

I hate these people.

[CrispyQ]

2. They are such greedy selfish bastards.

Shame on them! Fuck them all.

[Metta]

3. Their agenda is to hurt the middle/lower classes and stuff the rich.

Pure and simple. Oh, and they don't care if people get hurt, sick or die. "Don't just talk about your wailing. Do your thing and let me see. 'Cause you may just be fairy-tailing. Do your thing and let me see." John Hendricks - Little Pony.

[TygrBright]

5. uhh, waitaminnit... which Party is the "States' Rights" Party agin..? n/t