I’ll reemphasize the point, I feel, other posts are making, but you might be to close to see it.
The burden of paying the laborer is 100% on the owner. The idea of making customers tip and saying “That’s how it is now and if you don’t tip you hurt the laborer” is a false statement. The burden is still on the owner. Period. When you keep stressing the system with underpaid workers and expect customers (who are also underpaid workers) to pay for that then it hurts EVERYONE.
You are explaining that it hurts the workers. I got it. It hurts EVERYONE because the owners are trying to move their burden to us.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, direct your blame at the correct groups. Having the customers and the staff mad at each other and blaming each other distracts from the actual cause of these frustrations.