[Scotland] Unite union demands ‘fairer system’ for staff at top hotel

The Unite union says low-paid staff at a top hotel and resort on the banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland, are "in revolt" over missing out on hundreds of pounds in tips, Helensburgh Advertiser reports.

Unite is demanding a "fairer system" for staff at Cameron House's bars and restaurants.

About 60 workers are said to be angered by what they describe as an "opaque tips system" at the luxury venue where a bottle of wine can cost up to £1,200.

However, the hotel's owners have insisted that 100 per cent of tips are paid to staff.

The union said the hotel added a 10 per cent service charge in January without any consultation.

15 per cent of that money is kept by the hotel for "self-funded Christmas presents" for all staff.

Unite has also alleged that the service charge is being used to subsidise the promised income of salaried staff. And they reportedly claim that all tips on cards were held back until the end of the year, meaning staff who leave the company lose out.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Minimum wage workers are losing hundreds of pounds worth of tips at Cameron House, one of Scotland’s top-drawer luxury hotels. This is staggering abuse - a posh resort for the rich fleecing the tips of minimum-wage workers.

“The workers are fighting back and they have Unite’s rock solid support. The hotel faces significant reputational damage unless it acts to end this injustice.”

Unite called for a new "tips committee" at the high-end venue and said this had been verbally agreed by the resort manager after a meeting. Unite said the measure would ensure a "democratic and proportionate distribution" of service charges and card tips. They said it is the system recommended by HMRC.

Unite hospitality organiser Bryan Simpson said, "A month after our members submitted this collective grievance, Cameron House senior management continue to refuse to honour the key commitments they made during negotiations.

"They need to ensure tips are distributed fairly, transparently and democratically. Our members have had enough and will be escalating their campaign for fair tips at Cameron House."

Cameron House has insisted that the service charge is not new and that credit card gratuities have ordinarily been paid at the end of the year. It also disputed claims that management refused to discuss the issues.

A spokesperson for Cameron House said, "Cameron House gives 100 per cent of service charges to our staff and always has.

"We are committed to being open and transparent during this process and will work closely with Unite and the teams to come to an agreement as quickly as possible.

"Getting a satisfactory outcome for our team is a priority and we will continue to move forward to deliver this.”

Source: Helensburgh Advertiser

(Quotes via original reporting)

The Unite union says low-paid staff at a top hotel and resort on the banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland, are "in revolt" over missing out on hundreds of pounds in tips, Helensburgh Advertiser reports.

Unite is demanding a "fairer system" for staff at Cameron House's bars and restaurants.

About 60 workers are said to be angered by what they describe as an "opaque tips system" at the luxury venue where a bottle of wine can cost up to £1,200.

However, the hotel's owners have insisted that 100 per cent of tips are paid to staff.

The union said the hotel added a 10 per cent service charge in January without any consultation.

15 per cent of that money is kept by the hotel for "self-funded Christmas presents" for all staff.

Unite has also alleged that the service charge is being used to subsidise the promised income of salaried staff. And they reportedly claim that all tips on cards were held back until the end of the year, meaning staff who leave the company lose out.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Minimum wage workers are losing hundreds of pounds worth of tips at Cameron House, one of Scotland’s top-drawer luxury hotels. This is staggering abuse - a posh resort for the rich fleecing the tips of minimum-wage workers.

“The workers are fighting back and they have Unite’s rock solid support. The hotel faces significant reputational damage unless it acts to end this injustice.”

Unite called for a new "tips committee" at the high-end venue and said this had been verbally agreed by the resort manager after a meeting. Unite said the measure would ensure a "democratic and proportionate distribution" of service charges and card tips. They said it is the system recommended by HMRC.

Unite hospitality organiser Bryan Simpson said, "A month after our members submitted this collective grievance, Cameron House senior management continue to refuse to honour the key commitments they made during negotiations.

"They need to ensure tips are distributed fairly, transparently and democratically. Our members have had enough and will be escalating their campaign for fair tips at Cameron House."

Cameron House has insisted that the service charge is not new and that credit card gratuities have ordinarily been paid at the end of the year. It also disputed claims that management refused to discuss the issues.

A spokesperson for Cameron House said, "Cameron House gives 100 per cent of service charges to our staff and always has.

"We are committed to being open and transparent during this process and will work closely with Unite and the teams to come to an agreement as quickly as possible.

"Getting a satisfactory outcome for our team is a priority and we will continue to move forward to deliver this.”

Source: Helensburgh Advertiser

(Quotes via original reporting)