Waiting staff have final say as tips consultation closes
Hotel, bar and restaurant staff will visit the House of Commons with representatives from workers union Unite to refresh calls to bring in a more transparent tipping system and make it illegal for companies to top up wages with tips.
Len McCluskey, Unite assistant general secretary, said: “The Unite campaign for fair tips has established that everyone, except greedy bosses, believe that tips and service charges belong to the hard working staff.
“The government must ensure employers in the hospitality industry give a decent living wage with 100 per cent of tips added on top. This sector has so far failed to demonstrate its commitment to a fair and transparent tipping system. We can not continue to allow them to abuse customer generosity.
“Unite members will welcome the closing of the loophole which allows restaurant staff to be paid less than the minimum wage and then make up the difference with tips. But the government must go further and outlaw companies that take a cut of staff tips. A tip is a reward for good service and it should go directly to the people who earned it.”
According to a survey by YouGov, 94 per cent of diners want the tips they leave for waiting staff to go directly to them.
Unite launched the Fair Tips Charter in May last year to encourage fair practice in the industry. Companies signing the charter include Pizza Hut and TGI Friday`s.
Companies signing the fair tips charter agree to:
- Pay all employees at least the minimum wage with 100 per cent of tips added on top as a bonus with no hidden charges
- Reach agreement on how tips are shared with those staff directly affected
- Make no deductions from tips or salaries to cover breakages, till shortages or customer walk-outs
- Make all rules for the distribution of tips and service charges available in writing for staff and customers on request
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