Servers Seek Raise, Restaurant Owners Defend Tip System

Servers, bartenders and other tipped workers in New York say they deserve a raise but restaurant owners warn paying them more could hurt business. A state wage board is considering raising the minimum wage paid to servers from $5 to $7 per hour. The minimum wage for other workers is $8.75. State law say servers can be paid less than the minimum wage as long as tips make up the difference. Servers like Bronx bartender Autumn Alston say they should earn more for the work they do. She says she's had to put up with sexual harassment and rude customers to earn tips. But some restaurant owners say higher labor costs could put some restaurants out of business - or least force them to raise prices.