{"id":18358,"date":"2019-07-01T15:51:55","date_gmt":"2019-07-01T14:51:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=18358"},"modified":"2020-11-12T12:56:03","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T12:56:03","slug":"pizza-express-tips-charity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=18358","title":{"rendered":"Pressured to take part"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the latest instance of ongoing tips abuses, waiters at Pizza Express have claimed they were forced by bosses to hand over to charity the cash they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d worked hard to earn.<\/p>\n

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Waiters at the popular casual dining chain, which has previously come under fire by Unite for deducting tips from staff, told the i<\/em><\/a> that during the chain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s annual charity fundraiser week, staff were put under pressure to donate tips to Macmillan Cancer Support.<\/p>\n

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Both waiters who spoke to the i<\/em> reported that management set up designated \u00e2\u20ac\u0098tips tables\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 for the fundraiser \u00e2\u20ac\u201c any tips given to waiters from these tables during their shifts would go to the charity automatically.<\/p>\n

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One waiter, based in London, said that while bosses did not say participating in the fundraiser was compulsory, they felt obliged to take part because they were afraid of the repercussions.<\/p>\n

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Another Pizza Express waiter, based in Yorkshire, said that when they raised concerns over being forced to participate in the fundraiser, management responded by warning staff that they would be seen as \u00e2\u20ac\u015bblack sheep\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 if they did not take part.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThere was no choice,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 the waiter, who asked to remain anonymous, told the i<\/em>. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bI was surprised, I said no, if I want to give to charity I will do it myself\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I was the only one to say no. My manager was upset with me.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Both waiters, who are on the minimum wage and so depend on tips to make ends meet, said they were entirely supportive of charitable causes. But they did not think it was right that they were effectively coerced into participating.<\/p>\n

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The latest revelations comes just weeks after it came to light that a waiter at restaurant chain Wahaca was forced to foot the bill after customers walked out without paying.<\/p>\n

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Labour leader of Camden council Sarah Hayward highlighted the issue in June in a tweet to Wahaca which has since been liked and retweeted more than 8,000 times:<\/p>\n

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Hi @wahaca<\/a> just eaten in your Kentish Town restaurant for the last time.<\/p>\n

Ppl next to us left without paying and their server is made to foot the bill from his wages. Apparently company policy. Utterly shameful employment practice.<\/p>\n

Food’s great, company is crap.@thomasinamiers<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Sarah Hayward (@Sarah_Hayward) June 15, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n