AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Charles Skold, D-Portland, that would benefit both restaurants and workers by bringing Maine into alignment with recent changes in federal regulations regarding tip pooling.
Maine law currently prohibits the distribution of tips to workers not classified as service employees, such as dishwashers and cooks. As amended, LD 903 would allow an employer who pays the full minimum wage to employees to include non-service workers in a tip pooling arrangement, as is consistent with federal law.
"Allowing restaurants to incorporate kitchen staff in a common tip pool would create better parity and fairness for a historically underserved part of the industry," said Skold. "This option will enable restaurants to foster teamwork in the workplace, encourage retention of valued staff or experiment with new food service business models."
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate.
Rep. Skold, a member of the Labor and Housing Committee, is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents District 119, which includes downtown Portland, Munjoy Hill and the Casco Bay Islands.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Skold], c. 305-965-2744