Nationwide Wage Hikes Spark Tension in Restaurant Industry

Aubrey Deboer, a waitress and bartender in Washington, regularly worked 12-hour shifts and often suffered unwelcome flirtations from customers because she feared losing out on the tips that added to her base pay of $3.89 an hour.

Deboer, who worked for nine years in the area, acknowledged relying on the tips would often make her take-home pay comfortable but almost always uncertain. Tipped workers in D.C. and in most markets around the country are guaranteed the minimum wage under federal law, but make a lower base pay than other workers.

But D.C. restaurant owner David Wizenberg said his wait staff ...