To the Editor,
As Massachusetts voters head to the polls on November 5th, a key ballot question asks whether the tipped minimum wage should be eliminated, gradually raising pay for tipped employees to match the state minimum wage. This proposal might sound beneficial at first glance, but for the locally owned restaurants, bars, and small businesses that are at the heart of our community, it could cause real harm—not just for owners but for the very employees it aims to help.
Through extensive outreach across our five communities, the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce found overwhelming opposition to this proposal from both small business owners and the employees who rely on tips. For this reason, the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce opposes this initiative and urges voters to vote “No” on Question 5.
Currently, Massachusetts requires that tipped workers earn at least $15 per hour when combining their $6.75 base pay with tips. If a worker doesn’t hit that minimum, the employer must make up the difference. This setup gives employees a safety net while also letting them earn more based on service quality and customer rapport. Many servers and bartenders take home far above minimum wage, this flexibility allow them to maximize their earnings. Eliminating the tipped minimum wage, however, risks turning this model on its head.
Small businesses already face thin profit margins. This wage hike could force them to raise prices or add service fees, likely causing customer traffic to drop and reducing tips, which would harm employees financially. In the long term, these businesses may have no choice but to cut hours, reduce staff, or close altogether, impacting livelihoods across our communities.
This proposal could further cut into tipped workers' income through tip pooling—a practice where tips are distributed among all staff. This could spread tips more widely and would likely dilute the overall income of servers and other tipped workers who rely on direct customer tipping. For servers and bartenders who rely on tips as a significant part of their earnings, this change could further reduce their income.
The current system supports both employers and employees, allowing workers who excel at customer service to earn more and small businesses to remain viable. Instead of eliminating the tipped wage, enforcing protections for tipped employees can ensure fair pay while keeping the local economy strong.
The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce stands with our restaurants, bars, and service staff in opposing Question 5. Voting "No" will help keep local businesses open, jobs intact, and ensure that workers who thrive on tips continue to have the opportunity to succeed.
Steve Buckley
President, Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
