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Bay Area restaurants introduce training programs to address their race wage gaps

Jan 10, 2018
In the restaurant industry, people of color are more likely to hold lower-paying, back-of-house jobs, but some restaurants are trying to change that.
Cory Woods went through a training program to transition from the kitchen to the front of the house, where he is now earning far more money.
Sam Harnett/Marketplace

Millions of the nation’s lowest paid workers will get a new year boost

Dec 26, 2017
Analysts say local economies could also benefit from the wage hikes.

Your restaurant tips may not go to your server under proposed rule change

Dec 6, 2017
The Department of Labor has proposed changes to Obama-era rules about tipping. The changes would let employers pool tip money from workers who earn at least minimum wage and share it with non-tipped workers or use it to “make capital improvements, lower prices, or hire additional workers.” The public comment period is remarkably short, with […]

In raising its minimum wage to $11, Target aims to retain workers

Sep 26, 2017
Minneapolis-based Target is raising its minimum wage by a buck, to $11 an hour starting in October. That will apply to the seasonal workers the company is trying to hire right now to staff stores and online fulfillment centers for the holidays. By the end of 2020, the company said its minimum wage will reach […]

St. Louis’ minimum wage is dropping today

Aug 28, 2017
Starting today, more than 30,000 workers in St. Louis could see their paychecks shrink. The city’s minimum wage is dropping from $10 an hour to $7.70. That’s because of a new state law that says cities can’t set a higher minimum wage than the state. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

Yelp ratings may be predictor of how restaurants fare after a minimum wage increase

Aug 2, 2017
What determines whether a restaurant stays open after a minimum wage hike? New research suggests it could be customer satisfaction levels, as measured by Yelp.
Research would suggest Calafia, a restaurant in Palo Alto with 3.5 Yelp Stars, is feeling the pinch of a higher minimum wage.
Peter Maroulis/for Marketplace

What's the purpose of a minimum wage?

Jul 7, 2017
We check in on the employer side of the minimum wage debate to see how policies impact businesses.
Food preparation at 71Above, in Los Angeles, CA.
Liana Cabrera/Courtesy of 71Above

For public good, not for profit.

A new study out of Seattle shows the downside of minimum wage increases

Jun 27, 2017
The city is making its way towards a $15-an-hour minimum wage, but are employers cutting hours to compensate?
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray signs a bill that incrementally raises the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour on June 3, 2014, in Seattle.
David Ryder/Getty Images