Wisconsin News Roundup, Wisconsin Tribe Takes To Court Over Sulfide Mining, Laws On Tipping in Service Industry Jobs Changing Soon

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Heard On Central Time

In an effort to balance wages between tipped workers and non-tipped workers in the service industry, the Department of Labor has announced changes to tipping laws that will give a bit more power to the owners of the business to decide how to distribute tips. We learn more about the changes in the law and what that might mean for service workers. We also discuss top news in the state this week, and discuss one Wisconsin tribe that is taking federal agencies to court over a proposed sulfide mine.

Featured in this Show

  • State News Roundup for January 26th, 2017

    The Department of Natural Resources voted this week to approve new regulations on manure spreading for large farms in eastern Wisconsin. The vote comes after a series of contamination incidents in Kewaunee County. We get the details on the new rules, and other top stories, during our state news roundup.

  • Tipping Laws About To Change Under Trump Administration

    So many factors contribute to a customer’s overall restaurant experience. Sure there’s the server who brought you the food. But there’s the host who sat you, the chefs who prepared and cooked the food, the busser who cleared the table, the dishwashers, the bartenders, etc.

    So when it comes time to tip on the check, should all of that tip be kept by the waiter; or should it be shared with the rest of the restaurant staff?

    In effort to decrease wage disparities between tipped and non-tipped workers, the Department of Labor has announced they are changing the rules surrounding how tips are handled by restaurant owners. We talk to a food writer about this change, and how it will affect the service industry.

    And we’d like to hear from you. What do you think about this new tipping rule going into effect? Do you think tips should be pooled and distributed to the rest of the staff? Have you worked in the restaurant industry? If so how were tips handled at your place of work?

    Let us know by emailing ideas@wpr.org

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  • Wisconsin Tribe Files Lawsuit Over Proposed Mine

    The Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Government this week over a pit sulfide mine … near the Wisconsin-Michigan border. The “Back Forty” mine project, along the Menominee river, has sparked controversy for the Menominee tribe and others in the area, who say it would disturb the source of the river. We talk with the tribe chairman.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Dean Knetter Producer
  • Karl Christenson Producer
  • Gretchen Brown Producer
  • Rob Mentzer Guest
  • Andrea Strong Guest
  • Patty Murray Guest
  • Gary Besaw Guest