Worker’s Story
Roderick Sheppard, 26, Lithonia
$2.13 per hour as a tipped restaurant server
I work long days, sometimes 16 hours or more, and I make $2.13 per hour plus some of my tips. I spend all day taking care of guests. Imagine working for 2.13 an hour. Then imagine giving 20% of the tips you earned to other coworkers, some of who make much more than $2.13 an hour. Imagine trying to pay rent, car note, car insurance, food, health insurance, save money, and everyday expenses with the rest. I do not receive assistance because I “have a job” and was denied for that reason. By raising the minimum wage, I could afford a decent place to live on my own without any help from anyone and without being on any assistance program.