Employer Wants To Cut Pay, Can They?

As title says. I am in Alabama. I work at a restaurant, making over minimum wage. I do get tips for some orders, but they don’t typically amount to much money. Maybe 40 or 50 on a good day. Today, I was approached and told that management is going to pay me like a server- 2.5 an hour, or 7.25 if tips don’t make federal wage. Are they even allowed to do this? I have not gotten my paycheck yet- are they allowed to do this, then retroactively change the current pay cycle to reflect this change? I took this job for 8.25 plus tips, and this would be my first paycheck. I can’t financially accept this. I am getting as much in writing as I can and will be talking to management again later today. Should I have a legal/employee advocate in the meeting with them? If this is okay to do, I am probably just going to bail on this place. This is unacceptable.