Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

New website on Emmer's plans to slash wages unites servers against Tom Emmer

ST. PAUL (July 8, 2010) - Today, the DFL Party launched a new website to help hardworking Minnesotans spread the word about Tom Emmer's plans to slash wages for service-industry workers: http://www.serversagainsttomemmer.com

This week, GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer came under fire for his plot to slash wages by including a tip penalty for employers to reduce the minimum wage.

"Creating a punitive two-tier minimum wage would leave 45,000 hard working people behind and rob them of that base they depend on. That's no way to treat working people in this recovering economy," said Wade Luneburg, Political Director for UNITE HERE Minnesota. "If Tom Emmer's big policy to help fix Minnesota is to take away more than half of a low-wage workers pay, just think of what he else he has in store. Watch out Main Street, you're next."

Emmer said Minnesotans could stand the cut since many are making $100,000 a year with their tips - a statement that has been disproven by service workers themselves, restaurant owners, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Since he has no ideas on how to address the budget, Tom Emmer is looking for a quick fix, and apparently, he's willing to nickel-and-dime hardworking Minnesotans along the way," said State DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassutt. "As a former server who worked for tips, it's shocking to think that Tom Emmer wants to slash wages in order to do the bidding of certain big businesses - especially during these difficult times. This website will be a great tool to inform voters and keep track of this latest example of how Tom Emmer would harm Minnesota."

The website includes video of Tom Emmer's comments earlier this week, fliers for visitors to leave at venues when they give a tip, and facts to set the record straight on servers' income. See what's cooking in Tom Emmer's kitchen at www.serversagainsttomemmer.com.