by Keith Richmond
WAITERS, waitresses and other members of Unite who work in hotels, bars and restaurants lobbied MPs last week to call on the Government to make sure they get 100 per cent of the tips customers leave them.
Workers held a “Fair Tips” rally in Parliament Square as a three month consultation exercise by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform – into the use of tips, service and cover charges to boost employees’ salaries to the minimum wage – came to an end.
Len McCluskey, Unite’s assistant general secretary, said: “Everyone, except greedy bosses, believes tips and service charges belong to 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.”
The department is expected to issue its report before Easter. It is likely to recommend changing the law so employers can no longer count tips towards their payroll costs. After a debate in Parliament, there could be legislation in the autumn.
