The Council of the District of Columbia voted 8-4 on Tuesday to pause the next scheduled wage increase for tipped workers, temporarily halting the implementation of Initiative 82.
The initiative, overwhelmingly approved by 74% of voters in 2022, aims to gradually raise the base pay of tipped workers to match the citywide minimum wage by 2027, with the delay coming just weeks before the next scheduled wage hike, from $10 to $12 per hour, was set to take effect on July 1. This is the second time the council has delayed implementation of the measure.
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Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has taken an even firmer stance, calling for a full repeal of Initiative 82.
“Fast forward a couple of years and we’re seeing a very challenging environment for our restaurants, so I proposed to the council that I-82 be repealed,” Bowser said.
Supporters of the pause say it reflects the economic realities facing local businesses. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie, an independent who voted in favor, noted that the three-month pause “allows the council to fully consider the data and the impact on our local restaurant industry.”
Councilmembers stressed that tipped workers are still entitled to earn at least the district minimum wage — currently $17.50 per hour, set to rise to $17.95 — through a combination of base pay and tips.
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington praised the council’s decision.
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“We also appreciate that many of the Council members drew attention to the fact that DC’s economic conditions have changed drastically since Initiative 82 was on the ballot in 2022,” the group said in a statement.
Despite voter support, the future of Initiative 82 remains uncertain as city leaders weigh the needs of workers against the financial health of local restaurants amid persistent inflation and shifting consumer habits.