WV Lawmakers Ask Diners to 'Turn Up the Tips' After Water Contamination Crisis

Safe, potable water is once again be flowing in West Virginia after a devastating chemical spill, and politicians are now working to address the impact the water ban had on restaurant and service industry workers in particular. The Charleston Daily Mail reports that a group of bi-partisan West Virginia legislators have started the Turn Up the Tips campaign in an effort to minimize the consequence of being out of work during the spill.

The CDM estimates that "thousands of employees went without work or pay" since the contamination was reported on Thursday. According to Bloomberg, lawyers working on a class action lawsuit " say the costs in lost wages, revenue and other economic harm could top $500 million."

The Turn Up the Tips Facebook community page has been tracking restaurant reopens. Some restaurants and food vendors like Rollin Smoke BBQ in Charleston were able to remain open during the contamination using self-contained water systems. Others like Tricky Fish in Charleston and Ridge View BBQ in Institute waited hours for health department inspectors to greenlight their return to service yesterday. Maybe the do-gooding megatippers behindTipsForJesus can plan a West Virginia trip soon?

· Senator Encourages Others to 'Turn Up the Tips' [CDM]
· Diners Urged to Tip More as West Virginia Water Ban Ends [Bloomberg]
· All West Virginia Coverage on Eater [-E-]