Question 5 seeks to phase out the Massachusetts tipped wage for servers, which would severely impact the hospitality industry. However, the plan goes beyond eliminating the tipped wage and includes a tip pooling provision that 88% of restaurant workers oppose.
Question 5 would escalate tipped wage annually until it reaches the state minimum wage:
- 64% by 1/1/25
- To 73% by 1/1/26
- To 82% by 1/1/27
- To 91% by 1/1/28
- 100% by 1/1/29
According to A recent survey, 91% of servers polled prefer the current tipping system and do not support the changes under Question 5. A similar proposal in Washington, D.C. resulted in the loss of 3,700 full-service restaurant jobs. Not only did the changes in Washington, D.C. harm hospitality workers, but consumers experienced higher prices as restaurants were forced to implement service fees to combat rising expenses.
NFIB consistently resisted eliminating the tipped wage in bills before the Massachusetts Legislature. Now we oppose the effort by out-of-state groups to include this job-killing question on the 2024 ballot.
Make no mistake: Question 5 will impact more than just restaurants. Hotels, nail salons, barbershops, and virtually every industry with tipped employees will feel the effects of this devastating proposal.
