Some tipped workers say an increase in Rhode Island’s minimum wage will make little difference to their finances. Dean Capice tends bar at Union Station Brewery in Providence. Like other tipped workers, he will see a 50 cent increase in his hourly wage – to $3.39 cents per hour. Capice doubts he will get much of a boost, since the majority of his income comes from tips.
“It’s going to help me with what I owe in taxes at the end of the year, but its seems to me that with the amount of tips I make, and the fifty cents increase, isn’t going to be any dramatic change at all for myself,” said Capice.
The 50 cent increase for tipped workers took effect on January 1st, along with a minimum wage increase from $9 an hour to $9 and 60 cents per hour. In Massachusetts, the minimum wage went up to $10 an hour.
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