FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bethany Khan: bkhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
STATEMENT by Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge regarding Rep. Horsford’s TIPS Act:
The Culinary Union applauds Congressman Steven Horsford for his leadership in introducing the Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act and urges its swift passage in Congress. Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the $2.13 sub-minimum wage, along with going after big corporation’s price gouging on food, gas, and housing is part of an overall program to take on the high cost of living for working families.
It's outrageous that companies across the country still pay tipped workers as little as $2.13 an hour. By eliminating federal income taxes on tips and ending the sub-minimum wage, this legislation that Congressman Horsford is championing will uplift millions of workers, including many in Nevada.
Congressman Horsford understands the unique struggles and challenges that hospitality workers face daily. His firsthand experience working alongside these workers for a decade at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas uniquely positions him to champion this vital legislation, which will benefit nearly 6 million workers nationwide, particularly those earning less than $37,000 a year.
Culinary Union is proud that hospitality workers have a strong voice in Congress with Senator Jacky Rosen and Congressman Horsford, who are former Culinary Union members. We also lift up that Vice-President Kamala Harris has committed to raise the minimum wage across the country and fight to end taxes on tips, once elected as the next President of the United States of America.
We urge all elected officials in Nevada and across the country to join in supporting this crucial pro-worker TIPS Act legislation. For over 30 years, the Culinary Union has fought for fair wages and fair taxation on tips. Now, it’s time for the entire nation to follow Nevada’s lead to eliminate the sub-minimum wage, ensure that workers receive a fair wage, and end taxes on tips so one job is enough for workers to support their families.
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ABOUT CULINARY UNION:
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 300,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.
The Culinary Union, through the Culinary Health Fund, is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state. The Culinary Health Fund is sponsored by the Culinary Union and Las Vegas-area employers. It provides health insurance coverage for over 145,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members, and their dependents.
The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest Latinx/Black/AAPI/immigrant organization with members who come from 178 countries and speak over 40 different languages. We are proud to have helped over 18,000 immigrants become American citizens and new voters since 2001 through our affiliate, The Citizenship Project.
The Culinary Union has a diverse membership which is 55% women and 60% immigrants. The demographics of Culinary Union members are approximately: 54% Latinx, 18% white, 15% Asian, 12% Black, and less than 1% Indigenous Peoples.
Culinary Union members work as: Guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry, and kitchen workers. The Culinary Union has been fighting and winning for working families in Nevada for 89 years.
CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226
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