A leading trade union is to step up campaigning for hospitality workers to keep tips amid expectations that promised action will not be included in next week’s Queen’s Speech. Ministers have previously said plans will be announced to ensure that staff, including those in restaurants, can keep their tips.
The aim is to prevent employers taking a share of tips and was first put forward by Sajid Javid when he was business secretary in 2016. There was speculation that the measure would be included in an Employment Bill, but it is not expected to be in the Queen’s Speech on May 10.
The TUC said workers will be “betrayed” if employment rights are not enhanced, especially after the mass sacking of P&O workers. Unite union general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Every year this Government promises action to ensure fair tipping – and then does precisely nothing to deliver on that promise. That is why workers are turning to Unite, because we are winning for them, just as we did at Pizza Express.
