Today's Question Blog

What’s the fairest way to compensate waitstaff?

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Blue Plate Restaurant Group's new eatery at the Minnesota State Fair. (Tim Nelson/MPR News)

The Blue Plate Restaurant Company drew fire for reducing its employees' tips to make up for a hike in the minimum wage, but it's now walking back on that decision.

Tim Nelson reports:

Owner David Burley says Blue Plate has dropped the controversial charge, and will also raise the pay for non-tipped staff to $9.69 an hour starting Sept. 1. That's a premium above the state's current $8 an hour minimum wage, which went into effect Aug. 1.

Today's Question: Should waiters have to depend on tips? What is the fairest way to compensate waitstaff?