D.C. Council Blocks Tipped Minimum Wage Increase

The Washington, D.C., city council on Oct. 2 blocked a minimum wage increase for tipped workers.

Voters in June voted to eliminate a provision in the city’s minimum wage law that lets businesses count customer tips as wages. It would have the effect of increasing the amount employers must pay tipped workers. The measure was projected to start phasing in a higher tipped wage on Oct. 9.

The council gave preliminary approval earlier in the day to a separate bill that would fully repeal the initiative. That bill is still tied up in the legislative process.

The council also approved a temporary bill that will “delay the applicability of the initiative to March 31, 2019,” Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) said during debate. The temporary bill, which takes effect immediately upon the mayor’s signature, “gives us time to complete the permanent legislation process,” he said.

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said she’ll sign legislation to repeal the initiative.

The council plans to address tipped worker concerns such as sexual harassment and pay issues in the permanent legislation.