There was New York City's superstar congresswoman in a brilliant Friday night political stunt, pouring drinks in Jackson Heights while urging an end to a federal tipped minimum wage she calls equivalent to "indentured servitude."
Little argument here: The $7.50 wage floor has eroded in value over the decades. Which makes the $2.13 federal minimum for waiters, bartenders and others in the hospitality business insult atop economic injury.
And yet, as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez knows well because she earned it, the tipped wage here in New York City is far higher: $12.50 or $11.25 for service employees (depending on how large their employer), and $10 or $9 for food service workers. If tips don't get a worker over the $15 minimum, employers are required to make them whole.
There are legitimate arguments for ending the two-tier system. Enforcement ensuring everyone gets up to wage floor is spotty. Some claim the need to earn tips fuels sexual harassment, although nobody's saying gratuities would suddenly end if waiters and waitresses started at $15 an hour.
Proponents of keeping the tip credit, including restaurant owners and more than a few servers, say a hike will hurt business and force layoffs.
Washington should long ago have raised its insane federal minimum wage. But here in New York, the math is more complicated. You can't stir this drink with a strawman.
