|
|
Hi! I’m Ryan O’Leary, I’m one of the leaders on the Initiative 82 campaign in DC. Earlier this month, 75% of DC voters chose to eliminate the unfair two-tier wage system. Getting rid of the tipped minimum wage is my passion as a restaurant worker who believes the industry must treat all workers better. Over the last year, I have learned a lot more about DC Jobs With Justice. DC JWJ has a long history of fighting and winning for restaurant workers. Over 10 years ago, they helped win sick days for restaurant workers. Since then, they have actively worked to make sure that restaurant workers know about these rights, that they understand the wages they are owed, and know the resources available to them. |
|
And since the DC Council overturned the will of the voters in 2018, DC JWJ has stayed engaged in the fight to make sure tipped workers are paid what they are owed. For years, they have been using FOIA to hold DC agencies and restaurants accountable. That resulted in the Still in the Dark report, released this year. |
|
|
|
You probably saw the report. DC JWJ wasn’t afraid to name names of the restaurants failing to live up to their end of the bargain and report their wages to DC government. This included the restaurant where I worked - the Hamilton! The report also highlighted the abysmal 11% of restaurants actually compliant with the requirement to report. And DC JWJ has always pushed for DC government to be proactive in ending wage theft. |
|
That's why I support DC Jobs With Justice. We need organizations committed to doing this work. Day after day, year after year. In solidarity, Ryan |
|
