Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, accuses Carluccio’s restaurant chain of being guilty of ‘wage theft’.
Staff at the Italian restaurant chain worked normally until a decision was taken to close the chain’s outlets on Friday 20th March.
Staff have since been informed that they will only be paid 50 per cent of their wages, 50 per cent of their holiday entitlement and 50 per cent of their tips and service charges for the month of March.
Unite represents many low paid waiting, front of house and kitchen staff at the restaurant and believes that the company’s actions breach employment law and are also potentially in breach of minimum wage legislation.
Unite has written to the company to demand it reverses the decision to cut pay and instead ensure staff receive:
- Full pay up until and including the 22nd March 2020
- 100 per cent of holiday pay up until and including the 22nd March 2020
- 100 per cent of tips until the close of restaurants on Friday 20th March 2020
Unite national officer for the hospitality sector Dave Turnbull said: “Carluccoi’s is guilty of wage theft pure and simple.
“There is no excuse for the failure to pay the staff’s wages, especially for the hours already worked.
“Workers must be paid for the work undertaken, holidays taken and the tips they received. Unite’s members are lowly paid and they simply cannot afford to lose half of their wages.
Carluccio’s workers are now facing the prospect of having to decide to pay for food, heating or rent as they can no longer afford all three.
“The government is doing everything it can to assist companies during the coronavirus crisis, including with substantial financial assistance, but sadly some rogue operators remain determined to needlessly penalise its own employees.”
“If Carluccio’s does not reverse this grossly unfair decision then Unite will take legal action in defence of our members.”