The dispute between British Railways and its dining-car attendants over
the zo per cent. surcharge on meals raises interesting and not unimportant questions. The to per cent. was originally in lieu of tips, a satisfactory arrangement for which there was everything to be said. Then the wages of the attendants were raised and the Railways, to cover that, decided to annex the zo per cent. themselves. The waiters, who apparently want both the increased wage and the same tipi, protest that their total intake will be seriously reduced, for the luncher or diner will be indisposed to add much in the way of tips
to a to per cent. exaction. The company's action seems to me altogether shabby. If they must increase the price of a meal from, say, 3s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. or 3s. rod. let them do so openly and put it on the menu card. The present method looks very much too like an attempt to appropriate the attendants' perquisites. Of course, the right thing is to give the waiters adequate wages and no tips ; but
deep-rooted custom will, no doubt, secure them both. * * * *
Previous page
