Bill would require tipped workers be paid minimum wage

BOSTON (AP) — A push is on to require that tipped workers in Massachusetts be paid at least the minimum wage.

State Sen. Patricia Jehlen of Somerville and Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, both Democrats, are calling for the elimination of the state’s so-called “sub-minimum wage” of $4.35 an hour for tipped workers.

The bill would raise the minimum wage for tipped workers incrementally over several years to $13.95, and then in 2028 require that all workers be paid the state’s full minimum wage.

The lawmakers said in

Massachusetts, nearly 70 percent of tipped workers are women, but earn only 70 percent of the wages their male counterparts make.