Minimum going up

The usual sentiments accompany the 40 cent hike in B.C.’s minimum wage to $10.85, effective tomorrow.

Business is generally against boosts, because it eats into their bottom line and usually it’s not just minimum wage earners who want the raise, but everyone else up the line, too.

Social services groups welcome more money for the province’s lowest earners and advocate it should be much more.

Liquor servers, who tend to get lots of tips, will see their minimum wage also enhanced 40 cents a hour to $9.60.

I just returned from Brisbane, Australia, where the minimum wage is $17.70 an hour.

Granted, everything is more expensive, but servers in restaurants don’t expect a tip and still give good service and tour guides don’t accept tips.

Earls Restaurants is trying a no-tipping concept at its Earls 67 in Calgary.

Workers at that restaurant are paid more and to cover the cost, menu items are a little more expensive.

Earls is quick to point out it will never implement no-tipping at its regular restaurants.

A recent poll showed 40 per cent are in favour of no tipping at restaurants if workers are paid more and menu items cost more.

Forty-six per cent want to keep the status quo of tipping.

Steve MacNaull is a business reporter and columnist with The Daily Courier. Reach him at steve.macnaull@ok.bc.ca.