BOSTON – Voting question 5 In the 2024 election, Massachusetts voters had a choice: Should the state increase the minimum wage for tipped workers?
Massachusetts Ballot Question 5
A “yes” vote would increase the minimum hourly wage for tipped workers over five years until it reaches the state requirement of $15 an hour in 2029. It would allow for an even distribution of pooled tips among non-manager employees.
A “no” vote would mean no change in the way tipped workers are currently paid.
There were strong opinions on both sides, especially in the service sector.
Non-tipped workers earn at least $15 an hour in Massachusetts. Those who can collect tips, such as bartenders and servers, earn $6.75 per hour, as long as their total earnings from tips are $15 per hour. If the employee does not receive enough tips, the employer must reimburse them.
“Our research suggests that in other places where these laws require employers to provide coverage, tipped workers tend to earn a little more. But there are also additional stresses for restaurants and other businesses, which they usually have to address with higher prices, new service fees,” said Evan Horowitz, executive director of the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University.
“Yes” to voting question 5
The organization One fair wagebased in New York City and with a chapter in Massachusetts, has been pushing to get the question on the ballot this year.
“It’s another way to level the playing field,” said “Yes on 5” supporter Grace McGovern. She works part-time at Democracy Brewing in Boston and doesn’t believe there should be a two-tiered wage system in Massachusetts.
“That means every time you get a tip, you get paid more than $15 an hour. It’s not really a tip. It’s just a subsidy so your employer doesn’t have to pay you the full $15 an hour,” she told WBZ-TV.
“No” on voting question 5
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a former server, votes “no” on Question 5. She told GBH News last month that the ballot question is “a well-intentioned effort borne of out-of-state interests.”
“I think we’ll do it here,” Healy said.
Bartender Kyle Riess told WBZ he will lose thousands of dollars a year if the ballot question passes.
“I’m very happy with the way it is. I don’t want it to change,” Riess said. “I understand that One Fair Wage sounds really good on paper, which is nice. Everyone should get one fair wage, right? But my wage is very fair and I think a lot of bartenders and servers would agree with me on that.”
Riess’ boss said that if ‘yes’ wins, they will have to ‘dramatically increase’ menu prices.
Check back here after 8 p.m. for the live election results on voting question 5.
