Home California Attorney General Becerra to Trump Administration: Let Workers Keep Tips They Earned

Attorney General Becerra to Trump Administration: Let Workers Keep Tips They Earned

by ECT

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, co-leading a coalition of 17 Attorneys General, Monday filed his strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind a rule that allows all employees to keep the tips they have earned.

The rule issued in 2011 clarified that, consistent with long-established cultural and legal understanding, gratuities are the sole property of employees.  Under the Trump Administration’s proposed rule change, employers would be allowed to pocket tips earned by employees who are paid the federal minimum wage.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, this could result in employers taking up to $5.8 billion of workers’ earned tips. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which is spearheading the rule change, reportedly decided to shelve an economic analysis that highlighte d the billions in gratuity earnings that workers could lose.

“When customers tip an employee, they expect their money to go to the employee, not the employer. Hardworking men and women, especially those who are paid close to the minimum wage, depend on every penny they’ve earned to feed their families, keep a roof over their heads, or advance their education or careers,” said Attorney General Becerra. “The California Department of Justice is prepared to use every tool at our disposal to protect these hardworking Americans. We file our opposition today with a particular sense of urgency, given that the U.S. Department of Labor reportedly took action to obscure the unfavorable economic analysis showing that workers could lose billions in earnings if the proposed change goes into effect.”

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are required to pay their employees the federal minimum wage. Employers can meet this requirement either by paying employees the full cash federal minimum wage – currently $7.25 per hour – or by paying a lower cash wage, no less than $2.13 per hour, and making up the difference with the tips that the employee earns. The latter practice is known as a “tip credit.” The Trump Administration’s proposed rescission of the 2011 rule would allow employers who pay employees the federal minimum wage to claim the employees’ tips for any purpose.

Unlike federal law, California law requires employers to pay all employees a cash minimum wage and prohibits employers from commandeering “any gratuity or a part thereof” intended for an employee.  However, workers in many other states do not have the same protections.

Joining Attorney General Becerra and co-leaders Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in sending today’s letter are the Attorneys General of: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

A copy of the comment letter is attached to the electronic version of this release at oag.ca.gov/news.

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8 comments

Elizabeth Feb 6, 2018 - 2:34 pm

I think we should be able to tip the people who work in supermarkets packing your bags. I’ve taken that up with those running Raley’s, Safeway and other stores of that caliber.

Simonpure Feb 6, 2018 - 3:07 pm

Yup…back in the day when young men and women would help you to the car we would (and could) always throw them a couple bucks. How times have changed.

Dirty Harry Feb 7, 2018 - 11:23 pm

I don’t know folks, the checkout lines are getting longer, even the self checkout lines are long now. I’m usually bagging my own groceries these days, because they don’t have enough baggers available. Plus now, we’re paying for bags.

Melanie Feb 8, 2018 - 9:00 am

A bagger at the grocery store is the last person I’d tip. Bagging is their job. Helping someone to their car – maybe. But bagging in the store? Please.

Nick Feb 6, 2018 - 4:53 pm

In CA, waiters and waitresses make $10.25 – $10.50 an hour (depending on under or over 25 employees) PLUS TIPS. I’m so sick of hearing people saying “they make $2.13 an hour.” A friend of mines son made over 80K last year as a waiter, and he’s 19.

Even without tips, a waiter is a ten dollar an hour job. They’re making more than enough – if they’re good at it.

I still tip 20 percent, but I’m sick of the manipulation.

Debbie Feb 6, 2018 - 5:39 pm

If you are a hairdresser shearing tips would be a huge problem.

Simonpure Feb 8, 2018 - 11:52 am

Good one Debbie…I once had a job castrating elephants. The pay wasn’t good but the tips were big.:)

Lola Saavedra Feb 6, 2018 - 8:42 pm

I always tip my hair stylist over 20 percent. She is fabulous!

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