By: Team Sherrod

I regularly travel back and forth between Washington, D.C. and my home in Cleveland. That means I spend quite a bit of time in airports, and every once in a while, I drop by the United lounge. During one of those recent trips, I noticed something troubling.

I looked up and down the bar and realized there wasn’t a tip jar.

I asked the bartenders about it and they said it was corporate policy. They weren’t allowed to put a tip jar on the bar because it “compromises the experience of the traveler.”

It also drastically reduced the amount of tips the workers receive, by quite a bit.

Now, this “corporate policy” may not seem like a big deal. But it’s a big deal to these bartenders, who rely on tips to get ahead. Not having that jar takes $50 or $100 out of their pockets per night.

And it’s a big deal to me, because it underlines a larger issue across this country. Too many executives, and too many in Washington are failing to recognize the value of work. I don’t care if you’re working in the United lounge, at the gate, or flying the plane — your work deserves to be respected and rewarded.

All work has dignity. No fight for workers is too big or too small. I’ve spoken to United’s CEO and I intend to continue pushing this until the tip jar policy is changed. And I’m counting on you to back me up.

We support the dignity of work at all levels. Whether you punch a clock, collect a salary, or rely on tips — your work should be respected. Add your name if you agree.

With gratitude,

Sherrod