Unite demands action on tipping

David Woods, 19 November 2008

The Government will today start consultation on tipping in the hospitality industry.

Trade union Unite is demanding the Government does not allow the hospitality industry to "drag its feet" in giving staff all tips left by customers.

The union has launched a Fair Tips Charter stating employees should receive 100% of tips and gratuities paid to them, staff should be able to agree on how they should be shared, no deductions should be taken from tips for till shortages and customers can see in writing how tips are distributed, if they ask.

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, said: "The Government must take urgent action to close the minimum wage loophole. This will ensure rogue employers can no longer use money left by their customers, to thank those who served them, to boost their profits

"The union will not accept a situation whereby the industry, which has so far publicly denied the concerns of their staff and customers around tipping, to be allowed to merely go on repeating themselves. Government action is overdue as staff must be forced to wait on their employer."