Last night.
At The Ivy restaurant on Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
A group of workers, trade unionist and activists gathered at The Ivy restaurant to highlight what they claim is ‘tip theft’ of workers’ tips.
They also read out a ‘menu’ of workplace issues (top), they claim have been reported by past and present staff, to customers and management.
In a statement to the Irish Times today (see link below), the restaurant said: “100 per cent of credit card tips are shared amongst the entire 150 staff members members (excluding management)”.
It added: “A gratuity per hour is paid to every staff member in addition to their contractual hourly wage and is guaranteed by the company in that any shortfall, regardless of whether any tips are paid by patrons, will be made up by the company.”
“All cash tips are kept by the individual waiter/waitress, although they are encouraged to share these tips with their colleagues.”
The protest follows Independents 4 Change TD Joan Collins telling the Dáil on March 7:
“Recently, I’ve been approached by workers in a new, very swanky and expensive Ivy restaurant where the company are taking the major proportion of tips paid to staff – using these tips to make up the difference in their wages.
“I’ll give you an example. One worker signed a contract, in October, for €14.90 an hour. They’re now being paid €9.80 an hour and the difference is being made up with the tips. So this company is robbing the workers of their money and we don’t know where the rest of the money is going…it seems to be pocketed by the company.”
Protest held outside Ivy restaurant in Dublin over waiters’ tips (Áine McMahon, The Irish Times)
Previously: Swanky
