A living wage in Pennsylvania is calculated to be more than $11.50 per hour, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

To make ends meet, many tipped workers have more than one job. Most working in food service lack benefits, with no health care, no steady schedule and no affordable child care.

They work nights, weekends and holidays with managers controlling schedules and duties that can affect the amount workers can earn.

Racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination can flourish in this environment. Restaurant employment in Pittsburgh is down 12,000 jobs compared to April 2019.

Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed raising the minimum wage to $12 per hour for all workers, with gradual steps to $15 per hour by 2027. One fair wage will benefit 65% of tip-dependent workers, of which two-thirds are women.

Many hospitality workers have trained for new jobs during the pandemic or found new jobs that offer more pay, benefits and steady hours. A basic minimum wage of $12 per hour would boost income by $4 million for more than a million workers, stimulating the state’s economy, creating more jobs.

Higher food costs and lack of customers during the pandemic has hurt the restaurant business. Paying higher wages seems like an added burden.

However, a popular ice cream parlor in Pittsburgh did just that. After advertising for help at $7.25, they didn’t have one application. They then advertised at $15 and had more than 1,000 applicants.

The business co-owner said they were able to fill the positions overnight. He hasn’t noticed a difference in the bottom line. Employees are in a better mood, customer service has improved and there is less employee turnover, saving the cost of retraining.

Customers are willing to support a business that takes care of its workers.

Sue Mraz,

Slippery Rock