Dec. 03--Doormen at several luxury hotels in downtown Chicago scoffed at the notion they don't deserve a raise because they take in "unbelievable yearly incomes," the result of large tips.
That's what Marc Gordon, chief executive of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, said Monday as he explained why tipped workers, such as doormen, shouldn't benefit from an increase in Chicago's minimum wage rate. He said some are paid $4.95 per hour, a rate that will increase a dollar an hour in 2016. Afterward, the rate would be indexed for inflation.
"Some of these people are making unbelievable yearly incomes," Gordon said. "It's hard to tell, but it's all tips."
"It's a pretty good job," said John, who has been working as a doorman for 30 years hailing cabs, carrying bags and opening doors for guests. During that time John said he's always been paid minimum wage plus tips.
John, who like other doormen declined to give their last names for fear of losing their jobs, said he got into the industry in California. While trained in radiology, John began working as a doorman in college and continued in that job after moving to Chicago 26 years ago.
His total annual income, John said, never amounted to an "unbelievable income."
How much does he make? John grinned and said he couldn't discuss it. Just then a guest walked out of the building. John flashed a smile and asked if the guest wanted a taxi. The man nodded and John, dressed in a long gray coat and a black hunter hat, blew his whistle.
"Are you interviewing him?" the man asked a reporter.
Upon learning the interview was about the minimum wage, the man showed part of a neatly folded bill and said jokingly that John wasn't making minimum wage anymore.
As the cab approached, John grabbed the guest's bag.
"Did you have a nice visit?" John asked.
"I did," he responded. Then he got in the cab and shook John's hand.
John put his hand on his pocket and walked back a few steps to greet another guest.
A block south, a doorman who said his name was Eric stood on the sidewalk, seemingly bored.
He works for a boutique hotel with not much foot traffic. In a good year he said he could make up to $40,000, including tips. His base hotel pay, he said is $8.25 per hour. To beef up his income Eric, 22, said he got a housekeeping job at $17 per hour.
But some three blocks away, a 42-year-old single man said his two jobs as a doorman amount to less than $40,000 a year. He said he doesn't always get tips, regardless of how much work he does. The situation unfolding as he spoke with a reporter proved his point.
"Excuse me," he said, walking toward three teenagers and an adult woman with multiple suitcases. He hailed a cab for them, helped pack their suitcases into the cab's trunk and held the door open for the last teenager. She got in and placed a large bag on her lap.
He closed the door and walked back empty-handed to his usual spot.
"See?" he said, adding that this was the second time that morning he didn't get a tip.
An increase in the minimum wage would compensate for people who do not tip, especially tourists and credit card users, he said.
"Sometimes, you don't even get a thank you," he said.
acancino@tribpub.com
Twitter @WriterAlejandra
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