For now, the latest update on Willem’s situation. This Fellow Worker was fired after he quite rightly asked his boss why he was not getting a share of the tips collected during his shift at the restaurant. The restaurant owner was not happy that the IWW was acting as a union to represent Willem’s interests. Nevertheless, he promised (after sending us some very unpleasant emails) to make some more payments to Willem. This would take place in December. However, after our previous experiences with this entrepreneur, we were not surprised that, only after being urged again by Willem himself, it was not until mid-January that any money was actually transferred.
We won’t dwell on the kind of mentality that a business owner exhibits by first not paying what the worker is entitled to, then playing the victim when a union appears on the scene, only to end up not keeping promises made and not paying until weeks later.
Unfortunately, situations like this are no longer rare in this industry. Therefore, the following advice:
As a customer, pay attention. If necessary, ask what the policy is regarding the distribution of the tip you pay. If it goes to the owner, eat somewhere else. After all, this lack of respect for workes ruins the appetite.
Do you work in the hospitality industry? Look carefully at your paycheck. When in doubt: don’t be afraid to seek help. There are several groups and organizations in the Netherlands that can help you get justice.
Besides the IWW Nederland, for example, Vloerwerk and Horeca United are very good at making it clear to your boss that exploitation is not a good idea.