Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Chairwoman Jehlen, Chairman Cutler, and members of the Joint Labor and Workforce Development Committee:
My name is Jonathan Cohn, and I am the chair of the Issues Committee of Progressive Massachusetts. Progressive Massachusetts is a statewide grassroots advocacy organization that fights for shared prosperity, racial and social justice, good government and strong democracy, and sustainable infrastructure and environmental protection.
Central to our agenda of shared prosperity is good-paying jobs with fair working conditions. As such, Progressive Massachusetts would like to go on the record in support of H.1971/S.1213 (An Act Requiring One Fair Wage).
The tipped minimum wage in Massachusetts stands at a mere $5.55. In 2023, when the recently passed minimum wage increase takes full effect, it will stand at only $6.75. This is not a living wage. [1]
Although employers are supposed to guarantee that workers get the full minimum wage with tips, this has never been common practice, and wage theft is rampant in the industry. The tiered wage system allows this to happen.
Moreover, sexual harassment remains widespread in the restaurant industry. [2] As our country is slowly but surely starting to grapple with the problem of sexual harassment and sexual assault across industries, we must face up to the fact that unequal wage systems create the breeding ground for such inappropriate and predatory behaviors.
Massachusetts is both one of the wealthiest and one of the most unequal states in this country. Giving a favorable report to H.1971/S.1213 (An Act Requiring One Fair Wage) will take us one step further in ensuring that our Commonwealth’s prosperity is shared by all.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Cohn
Chair, Issues Committee
Progressive Massachusetts
[1] http://livingwage.mit.edu/states/25
[2] http://rocunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TakeUsOffTheMenu_Report_2.pdf
