CUPE Alberta Supports New Law to Keep Workers’ Tips in Their Pockets

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Working Albertans should keep their tips from customers without losing some – or all – of the money to their boss, said Rory Gill, President of CUPE Alberta, speaking in support of a new law introduced in the Alberta legislature this week.

“Thank you to Christina Gray for tabling legislation to stop businesses from being able to rip off their customers and employees. When workers receive tips, it’s to acknowledge their work, not to give the boss a bonus,” said Gill. “We’ve all seen these big tipping options on the payment screen, but it’s shocking how often the working Albertan never sees any of the money. As a customer, if you want to show respect for good service or just help a working person out, you should have confidence that they actually get the money.”

Bill 210, the Employment Standards (Protecting Workers’ Tips) Amendment Act, requires employers to pass on all tips to workers without deduction, subject to any voluntary pooling agreements made between workers. Servers and kitchen staff, for example, may choose to share pooled tips.

Six Canadian provinces already have similar legislation.

“As cash tipping becomes less and less common, it’s easy for an employer to hold onto the tip you select on the machine,” said Gill. “Albertans know that’s wrong. We need a simple law that protects workers’ tips and their right to voluntarily pool them. I strongly encourage all MLAs to support this bill and keep more money in working people’s pockets.”

Bill 210 was introduced by Alberta NDP Leader of the Opposition Christina Gray Wednesday afternoon.

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