VEX AND THE CITY
SJP goes off the grid to hide from protesters
Sarah Jessica Parker nearly had to ditch her heels for some unglamorous running shoes.
The ‘Sex and the City” star was expected to host a bigticket fund-raiser for a group working to do away with the $8.65-an-hour wage for tipped employees in New York — but was forced to hide the location of the fete out of fear protesters would ruin her night.
The group, One Fair Wage, which is battling across the country to raise the minimum wage — and do away with the lower tipped wage — gave out the location of the fund-raiser, where tables went for up to $50,000, only after a ticket was bought and the background of the guest was properly discovered.
The secret plan seemed to work as protesters gathered outside two separate Manhattan locations thought to be the site of the Parker-headline event — only to learn they had guessed wrong.
In fact, one would-be protester who bought a ticket to the event was likely found out because his active social media presence made clear his antiOne Fair Wage stance. He was told early Monday afternoon that the event “was oversubscribed” and that his $500 would be refunded.
With no apparent protesters able to crack One Fair Wage’s battle plan, SJP was spared the necessity of having to race past protesters and could have comfortably worn the Christian Louboutins her Carrie Bradshaw character so loved.
The event was moved to an undisclosed private home, according to a Facebook post by a supporter of One Fair Wage. Actors Hill Harper and Erika Alexander were also scheduled to appear.
The protesters fear a hike in the city’s minimum wage will endanger their jobs and businesses as the added operating costs will force restaurant owners to cut expenses.
“I’ve been contacted by dozens of servers who were interested in protesting this event,” said Joshua Chaisson, a bartender in Maine who represents Restaurant Workers of America, a group that claims to have the backing of 18,000 workers. “They were particu- larly furious about a $50,000per-table fund-raiser to harm our industry, attended by people who don’t work in our industry.”
Guests who donate at least $1,000 will get a “photo with Sarah Jessica Parker,” as well as with Harper and Alexander, according to One Fair Wage.
“A few of us considered showing up on Monday to Ms. Parker’s fund-raiser to try and speak with her,” said Susannah Koteen, owner of the Harlem eatery Lido. Koteen is among a group of 20 female and minority restaurateurs who have formed a coalition to oppose the wage hike.
One Fair Wage, organized by a worker advocacy group, Restaurant Opportunities Center United, didn’t respond to requests for comment. It wants to do away with the tip wage and have all Big Apple restaurant employees earn the $13 minimum wage — which will increase to $15 next year.
At those rates, many restaurant owners say they will be forced to raise menu prices and fire workers.
“My concern is that I’ll earn less money and work more hours,” said Alcieli Felipe, a full-time server at Lido, who earns up to $30 an hour and between $600 and $1,000 a week. “My boss will be forced to cut employees.”
SJP’s reps did not return calls for comment.