Low-paid waiters are still denied their just deserts

PAY in the hospitality trade is notoriously bad, a situation made worse when hard-working staff don’t even get all the tips left by customers.

STRIKE TGI Fridays’ staff walk out over tipping Picture: UNITE CALL TO ACTION Union official Dave Turnbull POLICY CHANGE Top chef Michel Roux Jnr TV chef Michel Roux Jnr was slated in 2016 when his London restaurant Le Gavroche was exposed for keeping the service charge paid by diners – Roux regarding the money as “revenue”.

Since then Le Gavroche has moved to include the service charge in the bill.

“If diners wish to leave a cash tip in addition to this that is entirely up to them, and these are divided between the staff without any interference from management,” a spokeswoman said.

But who gets the service charge? Is it still the management?

“I’m afraid I don’t have any further comment for you,” I was told.

The Mirror has previously reported claims by waiters at Bill’s restaurants that they did not get any of the service charge – the chain said in response that it was shared among the “whole team”. Unite regional officer Dave Turnbull said: “It’ simply not good enough that two years afte this government first promised to crack dow on some of the worst tipping practices in th UK hospitality industry, low-paid workers ar still being forced to hand over some or all of their tips, and customers are no clearer on w is actually getting them. “The Business Secretary, Greg Clark, nee to stop dragging his feet and publish the results of his department’s consultation into tips, gratuities, cover and service charges th closed two years ago on June 27, 2016. “If the Government is serious about show it is on the side of working people needs to take a leaf out of the Labour Party’s book and legislate to make sure that 100% of tips go to the staff, giving them total control over how they shared out, and ban rip-off tip scams onc and for all.”