Unite continues campaign for fair tips with protest outside Pizza Express

The Unite union is today stepping up its campaign for a fair distribution of tips with another protest against Pizza Express.

Unite members are to protest outside the Wimbledon branch of Pizza Express against the sacking of a Nabil Guiguis who, they claim, was dismissed for speaking out over the unfair deduction from staff tips at the restaurant group.

The move forms part of a campaign, launched last September with a protest outside Pizza Express on the Strand in central London, for a change in the law to close the loophole that allows employers to use tips to pay the minimum wage.

Dave Turnbull, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “I’m sure Pizza Express customers expect that the tips they leave for good service goes to the staff and would be upset that the restaurant are creaming money off the top.

“Pizza Express should do the right thing and reinstate Unite activist, Nabil Guiguis if they want to avoid serious damage to their corporate reputation. 

“Along with other restaurants it is vital that Pizza Express operate a transparent tips service so customers know that the service charge they leave goes to the hard-working staff.”

Pizza Express has so far refused to enter the debate on tips.

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By Daniel Thomas

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