NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was back in her New York district tending bar Friday as part of her push to raise the federal minimum wage, especially for workers who now depend on tips.
The Democrat took orders and mixed margaritas at The Queensboro restaurant, in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, for about half an hour, exhibiting skills she learned from four years working in the food industry. Until she became the youngest woman to win a congressional seat this year, Ocasio-Cortez worked at a Manhattan restaurant.
Ocasio-Cortez said she wanted to draw attention to the One Fair Wage Act, a bill that would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Patrons for the private event were supporters from women’s organizations and people who work jobs that depend on tips. They sported blue t-shirts that said, “Restaurant professionals deserve professional wages.”
Several of them spoke, describing how hard it is to make ends meet when they depend on tips. Since 1996, the federal minimum wage for tipped workers has been $2.13 an hour, though in many states that rate is higher.
Republicans and business groups have pushed back against raising the federal minimum wage, saying that it would result in higher prices and job cuts in the restaurant industry.
Ocasio-Cortez argued that the raise would be good for workers and small business owners, just not large employers and restaurant chains that depend on low-wage workers.
Ocasio-Cortez also linked the dependence on tips with sexual harassment that many women face in the restaurant industry. She said when women are on tight budgets, they cannot afford to repel sexual harassment from customers.
“On the 28th of the month or the 29th of the month, you let that person touch you because of your economic desperation,” she said.
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