Montclair, NJ — In a bold demonstration of support for restaurant workers and the fight for equitable pay, NJ-11 congressional candidate Analilia Mejia will step behind the counter at Leone’s Pizzeria and Restaurant on Thursday, January 22, 2026, for a “Server for an Hour” event. Partnering with One Fair Wage and the Living Wage for All campaign, Mejia will work alongside restaurant staff to experience firsthand the realities of tipped work under New Jersey’s subminimum wage system.
Currently, tipped workers in New Jersey earn a subminimum wage of just $5.26 per hour, a rate that leaves thousands of employees struggling to cover rent, groceries, transportation, and other essential expenses. Reliant on tips to make ends meet, these workers often face unpredictable income and a heightened risk of wage theft and workplace harassment. Advocates argue that eliminating the subminimum wage is a critical step toward establishing a system that guarantees stable, livable wages for all workers, particularly in the service industry, where labor is intensive and customer-facing responsibilities are constant.
During the event, Mejia will serve patrons alongside restaurant employees, creating a unique opportunity for both lawmakers and the public to witness the daily challenges faced by tipped workers. The hands-on approach underscores the candidate’s longstanding commitment to workers’ rights, fair compensation, and economic policies that ensure growth benefits those who sustain local communities and small businesses. Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with Mejia, restaurant staff, and advocates from One Fair Wage and Living Wage for All, discussing how meaningful wage reform can transform the restaurant industry into a more sustainable and equitable sector.
In addition to highlighting the urgent need to raise wages, the gathering will explore related issues such as wage transparency, workplace protections, and strategies to prevent exploitation. Mejia’s participation reinforces her platform of economic justice and emphasizes the importance of addressing the structural inequities that have left tipped workers vulnerable for decades.
The event will include a complimentary lunch for attendees, providing a relaxed setting to discuss policy, advocacy, and the broader impact of fair wages on New Jersey’s workforce. By engaging directly with frontline restaurant employees, Mejia seeks to amplify the voices of workers who are too often overlooked in policy debates and to foster a dialogue around solutions that benefit both employees and the businesses that rely on them.
Server for an Hour represents more than a symbolic gesture; it is a practical demonstration of solidarity and an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the systemic challenges faced by the state’s tipped workforce. Advocates note that fair compensation is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one, supporting stronger retention, higher productivity, and healthier communities.
For those interested in the intersection of food culture, local business, and workers’ rights, this event highlights how advocacy and everyday experiences combine to inspire meaningful change. Exploring issues like living wages and workplace equity alongside local institutions like Leone’s Montclair offers insight into how policy decisions ripple through New Jersey’s vibrant culinary and hospitality industries, a landscape continually celebrated and explored through resources like Explore New Jersey’s coverage of food and beverage businesses across the state.
Event Details:
Who: NJ-11 Congressional Candidate Analilia Mejia, restaurant workers, fair wage advocates, community leaders
What: Server for an Hour event calling for living wages and an end to the subminimum wage for tipped workers
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET
Where: Leone’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 19 South Park Street, Montclair, NJ
This event not only gives attendees a chance to witness a candidate’s commitment in action but also offers a tangible example of how hands-on advocacy can bridge the gap between policy discussions and everyday experiences in the service industry. The gathering promises to be both informative and impactful, reinforcing the importance of fair wages in building a stronger, more equitable New Jersey economy.
