Former Chin Chin bartender claims restaurant underpays workers
Herald Sun
November 19, 2017


TOP Melbourne eatery Chin Chin has joined a growing list of hot ticket restaurants accu­sed of underpaying its workers.   



CHIN CHIN IS ONE OF MELBOURNE’S BEST RESTAURANTS



Bartender Sorcha Harrop, 24, will launch legal action in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today, claiming the popular establishment underpaid staff who regularly worked more than 10 extra hours per week.   

Ms Harrop said staff were rostered to work 52 hours a week despite being paid for only 38 hours.

“The work was rostered and they assumed you agreed to work an extra 12 to 13 hours a week,” she said.

“Everybody raves about Chin Chin but everyone who works there are overworked and unhappy.”

The restaurant — owned by hospitality king Chris Lucas — denied the claim.


The Lucas Group was att­empting to settle the case on Sunday, saying there were uni­que circumstances and it was not a systemic issue.

“We have been dealing with Sorcha and her allegations since immediately after we were made aware of them,” Mr Lucas said.

“We have moved swiftly to reconcile her hours and have made several attempts to contact her to attempt to resolve the dispute.

“I am committed to ensuring The Lucas Group’s valued employees are paid correctly and within the current emp­loyment laws.”

Other former staff backed Ms Harrop’s claims.

The challenge comes after 162 of ­George Cal­omba­ris’ The Press Club, Gazi and Hellenic Republic staff were underpaid.

Staff were contacted by email and told poor accounting had led to underpayments in wages worth $2.6 million.


The issue was self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Ms Harrop is being represented pro bono by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and is ­hoping to recoup more than $9000 in alleged lost wages and ­sup­erannuation.

Senior associate Daniel Victory said it appeared a loophole was being used to under­compensate staff for regularly doing overtime.

He claimed this was a test case for the entire industry.

“I think underpayment in the hospitality sector is rife,’’ he said. “These workers are vulnerable and their rates of pay are not high to start with.” 

A survey by United Voice Victoria found 76 per cent of hospitality workers were paid below award wages, with some getting less than $10 an hour.   

UVV secretary Jess Walsh said employers were taking staff for a ride.

“Melburnians are incredibly proud of our world-class food and wine culture, but this ­industrial-scale wage theft will leave people feeling sick to their stomachs,” she said.

greggerypeccary wrote on Nov 21^st, 2017 at 10:18am:


Knoath !!