Unite Launches 'Tipping' Policy Campaign

American actress, jazz singer and author Molly Ringwald, who is performing at Pizza Express in London this week, has been asked to back Unite's campaign against the company's controversial 'tipping' policy.

Unite the union is waging a campaign to get the 430-strong Pizza Express restaurant chain to drop the eight per cent administration fee it takes from staff tips paid on a credit card.

Unite will stage a Pretty in Pink themed protest outside the venue on Thursday (20 August) between 18.00 and 19.30. As part of the lively demo, Unite hospitality workers will also be singing a serenade to Pizza Express’ mean-spirited CEO Richard Hodgson.

Unite regional officer Dave Turnbull wrote to Ms Ringwald’s agent: "It would be a fantastic boost to the campaign if Ms Ringwald used her performances to call on her audience to put pressure on Pizza Express to drop the administration fee by tipping in cash.

"The campaign has really caught the public imagination. Nearly 9,000 people have signed a petition calling for the company’s unfair tipping policy to be scrapped.

"People are outraged that the hugely popular, family favourite pizza chain is skimming a proportion of its staff’s hard earned tips.

"Waiting staff are among the UK's worst paid employees. Pizza Express waiting and kitchen staff are paid the national minimum wage of just £6.50 per hour – no matter how long they’ve worked for the company. They are heavily reliant on customer tips to top up their low pay.

"We are not calling for people to boycott the popular pizza chain, but for customers to show their objection to this unfair practice by tipping in cash instead."

(CD)