Waiters Go On Strike

Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale on the waiters’ strike.

Feb. 21, 1920: The Times satirizes a strike by members of the Southern California Waiters Assn. who wanted a raise of $1 a day [$10.66 USD 2008] and rejected restaurant operators’ offer of 50 cents a day.  The Times said waiters at first-class restaurants earned $7 to $8 a day in tips, or up to $85.28 USD 2008.  Bonus factoid: The Times opposed the evils of tipping in a Feb. 19, 1920, editorial.