Seventy-seven restaurant owners in New York City have signed a letter that calls on New York legislators, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Carl E. Heastie to pass a relief package that ensures a strong recovery for the foodservice industry in New York. The letter suggests relief strategies such as tip sharing, a recovery surcharge of restaurants that follow strict virus-related precautions, payroll tax relief, and the elimination of the subminimum wage.
Among the owners that signed are Tom Colicchio of Crafted Hospitality, David Chang of Momofuku, Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group, Will Guidara, Dennis Mehiel of Buffalo Wild Wings, Dan Barber, and dozens of smaller mom-and-pop, BIPOC restaurant owners.
“It has become clearer than ever that hospitality professionals’ economic futures are deeply insecure, with many facing hunger, housing destabilization, and additional debt,” said the letter. “Being forced to rely solely on tips, creates a system that encourages rampant sexual harassment of women, reinforces a wide delta of inequity of race, mass disenfranchisement of immigrants, people of color and working poor. With tips vastly down in this climate already, it’s clear that having to rely on tips alone could never be sustainable.”
The letter continued, “New York must take this opportunity to ensure a sustainable and just future for all. In this case, that means government working hand-in-hand with hospitality professionals—both front line team members and owner/operators—to ensure that we have a living wage, and that the hard-hit restaurants New Yorkers love have the tools needed to lead our industry and thrive.”
Related: NYC Will Shut Down Non-Essential Businesses; Updated HEROES Act Includes Restaurant Relief.
from Specialty Food News https://ift.tt/33YTbXB
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