Ballot question 5: The minimum wage for tipped workers?

[getagrip_already]

https://cspa.tufts.edu/2024-ballot-questions

I was initially all for this question since it excludes tips from the minimum wage in mass. But im rethinking it due to tip sharing with white collar job titles.

Currently in MA, tipped workers are guaranteed to make the minimum wsge ($15/hr), but every dollar per hour between $8.50 and $15 comes out of their tips, reducing the employers payroll expenses.

Under the ballot question, employers would be responsible for the $15 wage, and tips would be on top of that.

BUT, employers can elect to share all tips between other job types, including white collar roles like book keepers, accountants, and any other non mansgement workers. I support sharing with bussworkers and dishwashers, to an extent, bit the white collar positions are just opening up tips for wage theft.

Imagine an owner saying their spouse is the book keeper, their child is the accountant, and a sibling is a web consultant.

They could all share in tips without doing a lick of work.

Restaraunts will also be free to pile on "service fees", which would invariably impact tips.

At this point, I'm leaning towards no. If they come back without the white collar tip sharing, ill reconsider.

Wait staff is opposed to it. They feel it would end up reducing their salaries.

Thoughts?