The majority of people serving food in U.S. restaurants are paid a federal sub-minimum wage of only $2.13 an hour and are forced to depend on tips to feed themselves and their families. Waging Change exposes the liabilities created by this wage structure – liabilities that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but which are amplified by the current moment. Women, who hold two-thirds of all tip-based jobs, are especially affected. Their reliance on tips leads to pervasive gender discrimination, sexual assault, and sexual harassment – and prevents many women from speaking up. Further, the sub-minimum tip wage leaves them with barely any support from unemployment in times of crisis.

Featuring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others who have mobilized support for the movement, Waging Change reveals the important role consumers have to play in ending this two-tiered wage system which has already been abolished in seven states.