Tip about wages

In regards to a bill to hike minimum wage, it seems as though not all of the pertinent information has been brought to light, in particular those concerning the people who are employed in the restaurant industry (“Wage hike bill sparks debate,” Monday).

As of now, their salary is based on the minimum wage of $6.75 per hour plus gratuities. Each and every one of us, through dining at restaurants, is familiar with the common process of the tip. This fee, which is given for services received, entitles the server, busboy, host, etc. to earn a salary far above minimum wage.

Who among us, whether during high school, college or between jobs, hasn’t dabbled in the restaurant industry to earn some extra money? This field has always been noted as one where the pay exceeds that of others based upon the opportunity to earn gratuities. This industry is not typical to other minimum-wage based positions.

With the increase of minimum wage, the operator looses the opportunity to hire additional part-time help. With the increase, the operator is also unable to offer a young individual, a relative, or a friend the opportunity to experience what working for a living is all about.

In regards to the previously published quote from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. -- “There is nothing but a lack of social vision to prevent us from paying an adequate wage to every American [worker] whether he is a hospital worker, laundry worker, maid or day laborer” -- note that King never mentioned the individual who works in a restaurant, a gratuity based industry.

The next time you’re dining out, take a look around. The individuals you are observing are not just earning minimum wage. Or perhaps you have neglected to remember a few famed coffeehouses that place a tip container ever so close to where you order your cappuccino, latte or espresso. This tip container is emptied several times throughout the day. The salary of a barista exceeds minimum wage as well.

It is not as though I am against raising the minimum wage of the individuals who actually make minimum wage: the employees at the local dry cleaners, the retail clerks of numerous establishments, the convenience stores employee, etc. Let’s compare apples to apples.

The employees of a restaurant do not make minimum wage. The increase effectively is anti-business. I think we can all agree that when an operator is forced to sell a $7 cup of coffee along with a $26 hamburger his or her days operating a restaurant are definitely numbered.

DAN MARCHEANO

Newport Beach

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Dan Marcheano is the president of the Arches restaurant and the president of the Newport Beach Restaurant Assn.