Fair tips protest moves to Parliament
The union-backed fair tips campaign has been taken to Parliament, with waiting staff calling on the government to change the law to stop tips and service charges being used to top up the minimum wage.
Trade union Unite has persuaded Anne Moffat, MP to submit a question to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, John Hutton, to ask what action he is taking to ensure tips and service charges are distributed fairly.
The union is also launching a petition calling for a chnage in the law.
Len McCluskey, Unite assistant general secretary said: "We're calling on John Hutton to stand up for hard-working waiting staff and ensure that rogue employers are not ripping off these low paid workers in the hospitality industry. He must act to close the loophole in the minimum wage law which means that bad employers are pocketing the money customers have left for staff.
"Many of the most expensive places to dine out in the UK are operating opaque practises which result in staff getting a very small proportion, if any, of the money that customers have generously left for them.
"Customers want to see that the tips they leave are going to the hard working staff who serve them. The government must take action so that everyone can tip with confidence."
The 'Unite Fair Tips Campaign' calls on hospitality industry employers to ensure that staff are paid at least the minimum wage and that all tips and service charges are distributed fairly.
Anne Moffat, MP said: "I welcome the opportunity to challenge this outrageous practice which sees poorly paid workers in the hospitality industry being ripped off by unscrupulous employers who abuse this loophole in the minimum wage legislation.
"I for one make a point now of asking waiting staff what the practices are in their work place and if there is any indication of abuse ensure that cash tips are given directly to the individuals who provided my service. I hope that as the campaign grows all customers will do the same until we close this loophole."
