Fair Plate: Rating website names 11 eateries doing the right thing
The treatment of hospitality workers has been in the spotlight of late, but not every restaurant or cafe is ripping off staff. Now you can check to see if your local makes the grade.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Diners are being urged to check what’s happening under the table before booking a seat at their favourite eatery.
The Fair Plate website, which was started by hospitality workers’ union Hospo Voice, in the wake of the Calombaris wage scandal, is now revealing the pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes that are doing the right thing.
So far they have named just 11 but have had many requests for certification and are currently investigating another 13.
The venues to earn a tick from Fair Plate are; The Clyde Hotel, Carlton, All Are Welcome, Northcote, Carringbush Hotel, Abbotsford, Kings and Knaves Espresso, Melbourne,
The Birmingham Hotel, Fitzroy, Amici Bakery Cafe, Prahran, Polly Bar, Fitzroy,
Finders Keepers Cafe, Hawthorn, Footscray Milking Station, Footscray,
The Old Bar, Fitzroy and Central Club Hotel, North Melbourne.
United Voice Victorian secretary Ben Radford said customers had a vital role to play in ensuring venues treated staff with respect and paid them the correct wages.
“When you go to a venue, you should be asking not only is the food ethically-sourced and cruelty-free, but whether that extends to their workers?” Mr Radford said.
“The best guarantee that a venue is on the level is our Fair Plate Certification.
“That means our lawyer has taken a close look at pay slips to make sure staff are paid the correct wages and penalty rates.
“It’s a very new program but we’re delighted that so many venues have reached out to us and want to get accredited. They are doing the right thing and they’re proud of it.”
Amici Bakery and Cafe in Prahran was one of the first venues to be accredited.
Owner Paul Korczak-Krzeczowski said he endeavoured to treat his 18 staff with respect and ensured they were paid the correct wages and penalties.
“Our staff do tend to stay with us for longer and even when they leave they often come back because they know we do the right thing,” Mr Korczak-Krzeczowski said.
He said when venues ripped off workers it hurt the whole industry.
“It makes it harder for everyone. Venues that underpay staff can then afford to lower their prices which makes it difficult for the people doing the right thing to compete.”
He said finding good staff could also be hard with many asking for cash payments.
MORE: NEW LOO FOR DISABLED OPENS AT CHADDY
MELBOURNE’S TOP TEN HAIRDRESSERS IN THE SOUTH
COUNCIL TELLS RESIDENTS TO COLLECT THEIR OWN RECYCLABLES
“Because so many venues pay cash in hand people come to expect it and they won’t work for a documented wage.”
He encouraged customers to help stamp out the practice by supporting venues that were doing the right thing.
You can check how your favourite venue fares at FairPlate.org.au