04/12/2009 - Urgent action on tips system urged
A union has said that hospitality employers are still manipulating the tips system to top up workers' wages, despite moves from the Government to close the loophole.
"Frustrated and disappointed" Unite sent a "file of failure" to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who announced the closure of the loophole during the Labour Party conference in September.
Unite has urged the minister for urgent action to clear up the tips system in the hospitality sector.
It said that thousands of workers were being affected as employers continue to prevent all customers' tips from directly going to workers.
Dave Turnbull, from Unite, said: "Unite has uncovered evidence which shows that staff and consumers are no clearer as to where the money left for waiting staff is going and how it is distributed.
"When the Government spoke of the need to clear up the tipping arrangements, they expressed the need for transparency so that customers know where the reward they are leaving is going."
He said that the Governments move did not have "any positive impact for waiting staff or consumers", adding: "In fact, the union can show that this endeavour to bring transparency to the hospitality sector has resulted in many employers implementing methods to take a larger proportion of money left for staff.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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