Pizza Express staff protest as waiters’ hours cut and managers told to do more

Pizza Express on Euston Road in London. The chain employs about 10,000 people. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

Pizza Express is facing a rebellion from employees after announcing a cut to hours for hundreds of waiting staff before 5pm – handing their duties over to restaurant managers.

The changes, poised to be implemented this week, will mean a reduction in pay for as many as 400 hourly paid waiting staff in up to 90 of the group’s 360 restaurants while salaried managers will have an added workload for no extra pay.