Michigan Restaurant Association to fight government-

imposed increase in starting wage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              Contact: Andy Deloney

              (517) 482-5244

LANSING – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) announced today that the 4,500 member group would strongly oppose a proposal to increase the starting wage and the wage for tipped employees.  The proposal was made public at a press conference hosted by legislative Democrats.  The MRA is the state’s leading organization for businesses – small and large – in the food and beverage service industry.

The minimum wage proposal would increase Michigan’s current $5.15 per hour starting wage to $7.15 per hour, well above both the current federal standard ($5.15) and that of our neighboring states.  “Businesses are laying off workers, shutting down operations, and leaving Michigan because our state is such an expensive and burdensome place in which to run a business,” said Rob Gifford, MRA’s executive director.  “We need proposals that will reduce the costs of owning and operating a business in our state, and not ones that will further increase our current competitive disadvantage.”

Gifford called on the Legislature to reject this proposal.  “The idea of higher wages appeals to everyone, but let us not forget who pays those wages: Michigan job providers” said Gifford.  “There are fewer and fewer job providers every day in this state.  We would like to remind our legislators why that is.  This proposal will only add to the problem.”

Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments.  The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 345,000 people and creating $10.6 billion in annual sales.