As an individual act, it would only hurt servers. As a massive, well-organized, well-publicized collective act it would convey a message.

In many states, if servers' tips leave them below standard minimum wage, the employer is required to make up the difference. In those states, a tipping strike would indeed affect employers, who would have to pay the staff themselves rather than counting on their customers to do it for them.

The goal is not to give employers a "social conscience." The aim is to pressure servers to find higher-paying jobs and discourage others from seeking server jobs in the first place. The idea is to create a shortage of servers. Owners would have to offer competitive pay to attract enough quality servers. Otherwise, desirable workers will not seek jobs as servers.

If an anti-tipping movement is to succeed, it would have to be massive and well publicized. There would need to be enough publicity to ensure that servers were aware of the strike. Participation would have to be large enough that at any given time, badge wearers would be a majority of diners, or at least a substantial minority.

Wearing a badge may or may not be a good idea; it was just a suggestion. The idea is that servers, and owners, should be aware of the reason that people are not tipping. I would definitely recommend against rubbing it in the servers' faces by pointing to the badge (if there are indeed badges worn). It is not "for their own good" by any means. It is to accomplish a goal, mostly for diners' benefit.

I imagine customers would face disgruntled servers. It may require some sacrifice on the part of the strikers; that is to be expected. If any server is caught contaminating a diner's food with unhealthy substances, that server should be arrested and charged with assault. He should serve some jail time. Ideally, he should also be blackballed from any future work in the hospitality business. In fact, based on your suggesting such an act, you should be barred from ever working as a server again.

I agree with you that a tipping strike should include lobbying state legislators to repeal the sub-minimum wage. I would not want to see governors ordering it done; that is a prelude to dictatorship. Fortunately, I don't believe governors have that authority.

I realize that eliminating tipping would result in higher prices. But we already pay those higher prices once expected tips are included.