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Daily Talker: Eliminating Tipping

 

A New York City restaurateur is making headlines today.

Danny Meyer said yesterday that all 13 of his eateries will eliminate tipping and raise prices to create a fair wage system for employees.

Restaurants in Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group will begin the change in late November and other restaurants will follow suit over the next year.

Meyer said a tipping system isn't fair to all restaurant workers, since regulations don't allow for all employees to share in gratuities.

The issue of wages for those in the food service and restaurant industries has been gaining attention. New York recently approved phasing in a $15 an hour minimum wage for workers at fast-food chains in the state, and several cities around the country have set the same minimum for all workers.

But it is still rare to find a restaurant that doesn't have tipping.

Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, said other restaurants could be inspired to follow Meyer's lead.

"I think that because it is Danny Meyer and he is considered a leader in the restaurant industry, that a lot of people are going to look at this move," she said.

Christin Fernandez of the National Restaurant Association said restaurants should have the freedom to choose what works best for their business.

Do you think restaurants should eliminate tipping? Do you agree that tipping is unfair to all other restaurant workers, such as cooks?

Leave your comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter using #WBZTalker.

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