On Thursday, September 5th, 2024, in a show of solidarity with millions of restaurant workers throughout the nation, a group of Hollywood’s leading figures will trade the limelight for aprons, serving guests at a special fundraising dinner in West Hollywood.
The event, hosted by One Fair Wage and chaired by Chrissy Teigen, is designed to highlight the urgent need to raise wages, end the subminimum wage for tipped workers, and improve conditions for the millions of waiters, waitresses, bartenders, bussers, and other tipped workers who earn suppressed wages, leaving them vulnerable to financial instability, harassment, and an increased reliance on tips to make ends meet.
The event is meant to support efforts to mobilize millions of service workers to vote this fall by focusing on their top priority: their wages.
Headlining the event are celebrities Sarah Paulson, Keegan-Michael Key, June Diane Raphael, Ike Barinholtz, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Matt Bomer. Serving as the event emcee will be best-selling author, Meena Harris. The fundraiser will be hosted by notable figures such as Lynn Hirshfield, Wanda Hammoud, Sally Kohn, Roy Bahat, Kiran Jain, Siena Chiang, Nika Soon-Shiong, Smita Trivedi, and Clare Vivier.
The event will raise funds to support One Fair Wage’s national efforts, which are focused on raising both state and federal minimum wages and ending all subminimum wages nationwide. The organization, which is comprised of 300,000 service workers who receive a federal subminimum wage for tipped workers of just $2.13/hour, is at the forefront of campaigns across the country to advance local, state and federal policy to raise wages and end subminimum wages. Most notably, the movement has achieved a significant victory in Michigan, where 1.2 million workers received a wage increase due to their efforts. The momentum continues with One Fair Wage on the ballot with Prop 5 in Massachusetts, Prop 32 in California, advancing a bill in Baltimore, and building towards a statewide bill in Illinois following a historic win in Chicago to end the subminimum wage.
Chrissy Teigen added, “Having worked in restaurants myself, I understand the challenges that come with relying on tips. No one should have to endure harassment or stress about covering basic needs because of a system that doesn’t value their work. That’s why I’m so passionate about supporting One Fair Wage’s mission to end the subminimum wage and fight for living wages. It’s not just about fair pay—it’s about ensuring that women and all service workers can live with dignity, respect, and the financial stability they deserve, especially with the rising costs of living.”
This event is part of One Fair Wage’s nationwide effort to mobilize millions of service workers ahead of the 2024 General Election. With a recent victory in Michigan, where 1.2 million workers received a wage increase, the One Fair Wage movement is gaining momentum. The organization is also advancing key initiatives like Prop 5 in Massachusetts, a One Fair Wage bill in Baltimore, and pushing for a statewide bill in Illinois following their historic win in Chicago.
The event will not only raise funds but also highlight the critical importance of fair wages, economic justice, and mobilizing millions of tipped workers in the 2024 election in key battleground states.
