Unite claims victory over tipping scandal – but demands new laws

Unite has demanded tough new laws to ensure that restaurant staff receive the entirety of customers’ tips.

Britain’s biggest trade union spoke out after Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary, published a consultation triggered by the scandal of big dining firms taking a proportion of gratuities left for workers.

In what Unite has called a “massive, rightful victory” for working people, Javid concluded that restaurant companies must not widely take a percentage of staff taps. 

The Business Secretary has proposed tougher measures to increase the number of employers taking up the code of practice on tipping, boost transparency to make it clear tipping is discretionary, and clamping down on employers who take a portion of tips.

The consultation found over 80 per cent of customers prefer to see tips go to the waiting staff or shared out between all staff without any employer interference.

Restaurants like Pizza Express, Bill’s and Zizzi’s have been accused of taking a proportion of tips left for staff, in some cases as an “administration fee”.

Dave Turnbull, Unite’s officer for the hospitality sector, said the recommendations were to be welcomed but new laws are needed to ensure the rules are properly enforced.

“The is fantastic news.  It has taken us eight months to get this report to conclude but at long last it has and come down on the side of the waiting staff. It shows that even the lowest paid and most vulnerable workers can have a powerful voice when they stand united with their union behind them.

“It is also a massive and rightful victory for all those waiting staff who have worked tirelessly to expose sharp practices in the hospitality industry.  All they want is what any worker wants – to take home what they have earned, no corners cut.

“But it will need the support of law to make this happen – it is patently obvious that too many employers do not respect the spirit or word of the voluntary code.”