Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Introduces Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) reintroduced the Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights, in partnership with the Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United. Through a comprehensive framework, the Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights addresses the challenges that restaurant workers face every day-the majority of whom are women, people of color, and immigrants.

The Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights recognizes:

The right to thriving wages, including raising the tipped minimum wage to a full, livable wage. Restaurant workers deserve thriving wages plus tips.

The right to healing and rest, including requiring paid family and medical leave.

The right to a safe and dignified work environment, including enforceable federal workplace protections.

The right to universal health care and bodily autonomy, including ensuring that all Americans have equal access to comprehensive, quality, and affordable health care.

The right to democracy in their workplace, including protecting workers' right to organize without fear of retaliation, and transparency around wages, tips, and policies.

"No one should have to worry about paying rent at the end of the month or making ends meet because they can't rely on consistent tips and lack paid sick leave," said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. "Our restaurant workers simply want an opportunity to thrive-not just survive-and deserve a safe, dignified working environment. No worker should be exploited, retaliated against, or denied benefits, especially for organizing for better working conditions and a better quality of life. Access to health care should not be a privilege tied to your employment, but a basic human right."

"As an essential part of our economy, it is past time that restaurant workers - who in their majority are women, immigrants, and people of color - receive the parity, the support, and the backing they deserve to thrive," said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. "In Illinois, we are clear that all workers, including restaurant workers, deserve fair wages, safe and dignified working conditions, universal health care, and democracy in their workplace. So, I am proud to stand by my friend, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, and restaurant work leaders as a co-sponsor of the Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights to ensure the federal government meets the state of Illinois and worker unions across our nation in our shared efforts to protect the humanity and safety of our workers."

"Restaurant workers have been severely underpaid with a tipped minimum wage of $2.13 for over three decades," said Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. "It's time to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve by guaranteeing fair pay, time off, a safe work environment, and healthcare. We must continue to build a strong and resilient economy by putting power in the hands of the workers and protecting their right to organize and advocate for themselves.

I am proud to join my sister Rep. Tlaib in reintroducing this bill to ensure that every restaurant worker has stability, paid leave, and a living wage. When working class families are supported and empowered, we all do better."