by Keith Richmond
Unite has called on Lord Mandelson, ahead of the Christmas party season, to clear up the tips system in hotels, restaurants and bars once and for all.
It has sent him its “File of Failure” which details the reluctance of the hospitality industry to embrace the principle of fair tips which workers – and customers – have long demanded.
Dave Turnbull, Unite officer, said: “Staff and consumers are no clearer as to where the money left for waiting staff is going and how it is distributed. The Government spoke of the need for transparency so customers know where the reward they are leaving is going. Unite is frustrated and disappointed that there is continued abuse of the tips and service charge system by the majority of employers in the hospitality sector.”
The union has examples of hourly rates of pay being cut as a consequence of minimum wage regulations being amended; pools for tips being widened to lessen the amount going to each individual; “administration fees” being increased; and management increasing the slice of the tips cake it takes.
