Commissioner Diaz’s legislation to allow suggested tips for MIA servers and wait staff wins initial approval

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – The Miami-Dade County Commission on April 9 gave initial approval to an ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz to allow restaurant operators at Miami International Airport to include a suggested tip on customers’ checks.

The legislation would allow a suggested tip of up to 18 percent, as long as clear notice is provided on the check or point-of-sale device explaining that the tip is suggested and can be removed or changed at the customer’s discretion.

Commissioner Diaz said preserving the ability to solicit tips at MIA is necessary to protect restaurant workers, especially since many foreign travelers to the airport come from cultures where tipping may not be common.

“We need to support our airport restaurant employees who depend on tips to make ends meet,” Commissioner Diaz said. “This legislation helps MIA wait staff earn a living while still giving customers the option of how much to tip.”

The County Code currently does not allow MIA restaurant operators to include suggested tips or automatic gratuities on their customers’ checks, which led to a threatened but recently canceled crackdown by the County’s Aviation Department on restaurants that were violating the policy.

Florida’s minimum wage is $8.46, but employers can pay tipped employees as little as $5.44 per hour.