A majority of Quebecers would agree to allow restaurateurs to distribute tips between servers and kitchen employees, according to a Léger survey commissioned by the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ). The organization is asking provincial political parties to comment on this measure, which they have been calling for for years.
According to the same web survey, 63% of the 1,044 individuals surveyed say they usually pay 15% tip, while 23% tip more and 12% tip less. But who should benefit from these amounts? About 73% of respondents said they totally agreed or somewhat agreed “that a restaurateur could set up a mechanism for sharing tips between all of its employees, including those who work in the kitchen”.
Currently, under the Labor Standards Act, tips can only be shared with the kitchen staff if the servers agree to do so. This practice is still marginal, according to the ARQ, and dining room employees would regularly oppose it. The organization which represents around 5,000 restaurateurs would like owners to be able to make this decision when they see the need to rebalance payrolls.
“It’s a matter of attracting and retaining manpower,” says Martin Vézina, vice-president of public and governmental affairs for the ARQ. It is particularly difficult to recruit employees in the kitchen. »
For their part, some unions have indicated in the past that it was necessary to improve the wages of kitchen workers, but not at the expense of those of waiters. According to the latest figures collected from its members by the ARQ, dating from 2021, a cook earned an average of $19.45 per hour, while a server could raise around $36 per hour with tips.
Upcoming changes?
A working group on this issue, bringing together industry players and provincial officials, has held meetings over the past year. A report is in preparation, indicates Mr. Vézina.
Questioned by The duty, the Coalition avenir Québec says it wishes to continue the work so that “employers and employees present a consensual solution”. Québec solidaire has said that it favors an increase in the minimum wage to ensure better remuneration in this sector, as well as a zero-rating of restaurants.
The Liberal Party of Quebec says it is willing to review the ways of doing things, ensuring that “the solution chosen is acceptable to the employees”. The Conservative Party of Quebec has said that it has not yet taken a position on the subject, but wants to “preserve the freedom of choice for owners”.
The Parti Québécois did not answer our question.