Pizza Express will no longer take 8% of staff tips

From 6 October a new automated system will be used to distribute tips across 10,000 employees at the 430-strong pizza chain.

But their picket outside one of the chain’s 430 restaurants was rearranged as a party after bosses relented to pressure and changes its tips policy. An accompanying petition won thousands of signatures from the general public.

Tips made by cards will be “fully distributed” among employees, said the firm.

The automated system has been developed over the past six months and is being launched following pilot trials, Pizza Express said. The company had said this was a fair cost for processing the money.

So now, Unite are going after Ask Italian, Prezzo, Belgo, Strada, Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Zizzi, who have also been accused of not playing fairly when it comes to their staff’s tips.

He said: “To ensure the process of allocating tips is wholly independent from employers we want to see new guidance on tronc schemes that ensure only waiting staff themselves are eligible to hold positions, such as tronc “master” and on the tronc committee”.

Pizza Express’ Richard Hodgson, the company’s chief executive, said: “We recognise that our team members are critical to delivering the fantastic customer experience that Pizza Express has built over many years”.

Tory Business Secretary Sajid Javid attempted to claim credit for victory, pointing out it came “just days after I launched an investigation to look at this issue”.

“I’m committed to ensuring that we continue to work on improving the image of our sector, and to ensure we appeal to talented, ambitious people with the right mix of skills”.

The inquiry, which will run until 10 November, will examine whether or not government intervention is necessary. An indepednetn group within the company has elected to give 30 per cent of card-based tips to cleaners, pizzaiolos and other kitchen staff, while the remaining 70 per cent goes to individual waiters.

The move, which workers and unions have been calling for over the last few months, means staff will receive the full amount left for them as a tip. However, it prompted protests organised by the Unite union which seem to have brought about the change of policy.