By Edward Trower-
TGI Friday restaurants in London and Milton Keynes were faced with protests as waiting staff joined in the UK’s first strike over tipping.
In February, the casual dining chain’s 83 outlets, began redistributing 40% of service charge payments paid on credit and debit cards to back-of-house employees, including kitchen staff, in lieu of a wage increase.
Waiting staff are protesting the loss of card tips, and the failure of the company to consult them. Kitchen staff insist they deserve a rise in basic pay, not just a share of the tips.
The consensus among workers is that the restricted pay is linked to increases in the legal minimum wage, which has forced the restaurant to put up waiters’ pay.
Two restaurants, in Covent Garden and Milton Keynes, were on strike on Friday. Two other in the Trafford Centre, Greater Manchester, and Piccadilly, London, have voted to join action set for next Friday. The protest is a shame to the management of TGI Friday, and their CEO, who must take the heat and shame of the protest. A company as big and rich as TGI need to protect its reputation, but too often, business heads are only concerned about their pockets.
When staff from four different organisations protest their wages, it usually reflects the greed of the company leaders who many times escape with malpractice.
Dave Turnbull, the regional officer for Unite, which has been supporting the workers, said: “We need the company to wake up and talk to us. The only way for this to be resolved is to sit down and talk about a way forward
A TGI Fridays spokesperson said: “Our team members are a part of our Fridays family and we care about them. We believe all our team members should be – and are – treated and paid fairly … We are listening [to the workers] and are collectively working to find a resolution. In the meantime, we will be doing all we can to ensure our guests receive the usual great dining experience and that the restaurant remains open as normal.”
Enjoying a dining experience at a restaurant is not good enough, if the bosses are maltreating their staff. TGI Friday bosses have been urged by The Eye Of Media.Com to hurry up and address the issues of their staff, as we will happily spark a campaign for customers to show their unity with TGI staff by boycotting the restaurant and taking their custom elsewhere
The TGI’s dispute comes amid tough times for casual dining chains struggling with rising costs, more competition and a squeeze on customer spending. Jamie Oliver’s Italian chain, Prezzo and Byron have all closed multiple outlets and asked their landlords for rent cuts.