My issue is this, I recently moved from Washington state to the state of Ohio.  I have worked in the restaurant industry for over 40 years.  In Washington all W-2 employees receive at least the full minimum wage, even if you are a tipped employee.  In Ohio, minimum wage for food service workers who receive tips is HALF the minimum wage, $4.65 an hour.  As a result of this, we do not  even receive a paycheck though we have worked a pay period of 2 weeks averaging 60-80 hours. 

While we  as servers hope to earn at least a 20% tip, there are guests who come and dine and tip much lower than 20%, or nothing at all.  In this situation, we as servers, are PAYING to work rather than being PAID to work! This is because it is mandatory to tip out to other co-employees: our bartenders, bussers, hostesses, and cooks, whether we receive a gratuity or not.  Those of us who work in the restaurant industry totally understand this and how unjust it is to work for free and pay out of our own pockets to serve another.

The states minimum wage for tipped employees should be equal for all W-2 employees in very state. Please support this cause for equal pay.

Thank you so very much CHANGE.ORG  for your help and making it easy for supporters to sign this petition on my Facebook page.