Submitted by ArmchairShrinker t3_yw1n0n in washingtondc
The approval of Initiative 82 has already started causing ripple effects across the DC service industry. As this article in the DCist discusses, many restaurants are considering the implementation of service charges to offset the labor costs this initiative imposes.
While I recognize this may be a controversial opinion, I am passionately against the implementation of restaurant service charges. Most all other service industry businesses operate under a model where their labor costs are incorporated into their product prices and I'm a firm believer that restaurants should do the same. The idea of crafting a new service charge under the guise of offsetting the costs of paying employees a more livable wage seems in direct contradiction to the spirit of Initiative 82. I would rather the labor costs be incorporated into items on the menus.
With that in mind, I have decided to boycott and restaurant I find that adds a service charge to their bill. I hope those who agree will join me.