Waging Change

From no paid sick leave, to a reliance on tips in order to make a living, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the many fault lines in the American restaurant industry that affect both workers and consumers. As millions of restaurant workers were laid off in the face of the pandemic, Waging Change provides a behind the scenes look at what needs to change so that restaurant workers can receive a living wage once restaurants re-open. Featuring Saru Jayaraman, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, the film reveals two American workers’ struggles hidden in plain sight– the effort to end the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13 for restaurant servers and bartenders and the #MeToo movement’s efforts to end sexual harassment.