HOSPITALITY WORKERS: An answer

This letter is a response to the letter “HOSPITALITY WORKERS: A question” published on Sept. 14.

I am responding from the perspective of an actual Coeur d’Alene hospitality worker. The implication that the aforementioned letter gives is that hospitality workers in Coeur d’Alene have better compensation and access to resources due to the fact that we “work for one of the largest and wealthiest of companies in what is advertised often as the playground for the rich” (direct quote).

This is COMPLETELY false, and demonstrates either a lack of understanding of modern business practices, or a lack of experience in hospitality (besides being served). I, as well as a vast majority of my coworkers, are paid exactly $4.50/hour by the hospitality company that we work in, with another vast majority of my income being tips from strangers that are not associated with “the largest and wealthiest of companies” (ie: my employer).

What does this mean exactly? It means that even “the largest and wealthiest of companies” would rather force their own guests to pay the company’s wages instead of compensating us even remotely fairly. Therefore, we do not appreciate someone that wants to sarcastically ponder the reason that hospitality workers may need better access to basic resources. The reason is that the hospitality industry is not paying us.

To those reading that ever have the pleasure of interacting with your local hospitality crews, please tip us well: Our lives depend on it.

HUNTER JOHNSTON

Dalton Gardens