Contact:

Juan Carlos Romero

Juan@onefairwage.org

New York

Since the pandemic, restaurant workers have been leaving the industry in droves. Our research reveals that 53 percent of restaurant workers surveyed are considering leaving the industry, 70 percent of whom are citing low wages and tips as their primary reason for leaving, and 78 percent of workers state that the only reason they would stay in the industry is if they received a livable wage with tips on top. In response to this staffing crisis, thousands of restaurants nationwide have raised their wages to get workers to attract and retain staff, but this measure is not enough. Through state campaigns, we are focusing on raising wages for tipped workers so that the 1 million restaurant workers who have left since the onset of the pandemic can return to an industry that fairly compensates essential workers.

In 2019, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order to end the subminimum wage for all tipped industries with the exception of the restaurant industry. Restaurant workers were thus excluded from receiving fair wages. Now, Governor Hochul can support low wage workers by adopting One Fair Wage to guarantee a full minimum wage for all workers. To achieve One Fair Wage in New York, we need to demand that New York lawmakers fairly compensate tipped workers by signing onto Assembly Bill A2244 and Senate Bill S808. 

Fact Sheet: The Key to Saving the New York State Restaurant Industry Post-Covid 19

Below are letters of support for One Fair Wage:

NY Org Sign-On Letter

Women’s Letter to Senate President ASC & Speaker Heastie 5-22

Senate Majority Leader and Speaker High Road Employer

NY Workers in Support of One Fair Wage

Take action with us!

Achieving One Fair Wage will require all of us to speak up and demand New York lawmakers fairly compensate our tipped workers. Call your legislator today and ask them to sign onto Assembly Bill A2244 and Senate Bill S808. 

• Call my Assemblymember and demand they sign on to Assembly Bill A2244.
• Call my State Senator and demand they sign on to Senate Bill S808.

In the News

RESTAURANT DIVE: How New York Gov. Kathy Hochul could impact restaurant workers

PIX 11: NY group sues Olive Garden owner over subminimum wage, blames worker shortage on low pay

AM NY: NYC restaurant workers wage war on sub-minimum pay in Times Square

THE NEW YORK TIMES: How New York Waiters Got the Upper Hand

EATER: Dozens of NYC Restaurant Workers Saw Drop in Tips After COVID-19 Surcharge, Survey Says

Research