Kathy wrote:
> A new twist on a well-worn subject - Senator Rick Santorum proposes to
> remove all state requirements for a minimum wage for jobs in which
> employees can expect tips. Restaurant owners could then "hire"
> serving staff for nothing but the tips they hope to make. More info
> on his bill he
> http://www.nathannewman.org/laborblo...e/002263.shtml . If
> you're not fond of the American custom of tipping, perhaps you'll let
> him know your opinion on this idea.

Unless something has changed (quite possible), restaurant owners already
don't have to pay minimum wage to tipped employees. I never earned minimum
wage when I worked as a server; the tips were expected (ha!) to make up the
difference and then taxed based on my daily food sales figures regardless of
whether I made that much in tips or not. The only time I made more than
minimum wage in a restaurant setting was when I was working as a hostess and
also handled the computer accounting stuff in the back of the house.

Jill