Ocasio-Cortez serves up food, drinks in support of raising minimum wage

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rolled up her sleeves Friday and took a shift at a restaurant in her district.

News 12 Staff

May 31, 2019, 9:18 PM

Updated 1,810 days ago

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Ocasio-Cortez serves up food, drinks in support of raising minimum wage
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez showed support for raising the minimum wage Friday while tending bar in Queens.
The congresswoman says people who work in the service industry need to be paid more.
“These are people who make a living based on tips,” she says. “Not just in restaurants and bars, but also car wash attendants and nail salon employees.”
 The federal minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 The congresswoman compared it to “indentured servitude.”
“Seven states, New York not included, require workers to be paid the actual minimum wage,” she says.
The congresswoman said people who make a tip-based living are more likely to have to endure sexual harassment out of worry of losing tips. She also says they may have to take overnight shifts that put their safety at risk.
Opponents of raising the minimum wage on tipped employees say it will negatively affect businesses.


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