Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

My Restaurant Rules competitor The Pink Salt can win with a decent workplace

We want to tell Evan and Bella - the owners of The Pink Salt restaurant - that they can't expect Sydney's vote in the popular My Restaurant Rules TV reality show if they don't treat their workforce properly.

That's the message from proud union members and their families across Australia, LHMU Hospitality Union NSW Secretary, Annie Owens, said today.

Two million union members, their families and supporters across Australia can show what they think of individual employment contracts by sending an e-mail message to the owners of The Pink Salt saying:

Create a decent workplace if you want our vote by showing you respect your employees

Fair dinkum Superannuation fund

" If they're not giving out pay slips; they're not paying into a fair dinkum superannuation fund; and they're putting people onto secretive individual employment contracts without any discussion - well that's not decent in my book," Annie Owens said.

Ms Owens pointed out that no one goes voluntarily onto an individual employment contract - that's proved by the Government statistics which shows the take up rate to be abysmal.

AWAs allow bad employers to ride roughshod

" These AWA individual employment contracts just allow bad employers to ride roughshod.

" It results in conflict between everyone in the workplace, because everyone has to fight for every dollar.

" And workers are constantly worried they are being short-changed.

" People on AWAs are often put into a sign-it-or-else situation. No union to consult and get support and free, quality, independent advice," Ms Owens said.

Read earlier story: Popular reality show provides a taste of things to come

Time and wages inspection

Already the NSW labour inspectors have been to visit The Pink Salt.

Here's how the SMH reported the NSW Labor Government sending in inspectors to look at the reality-TV restaurant's time and wages books. My restaurant breaks rules: reality TV show's big pay slip

" Evan Hansimikali and Bella Serventi can only expect to win My Restaurant Rules if they show as much respect to their workers as they show to the people visiting their Manly noshery," Annie Owens said.

Build a team with an open, transparent attitude to your workers

" Be open with the workforce - let them into the team game. Sit down with them and offer to negotiate a workplace agreement which provides decency and transparency for everyone at the restaurant."

Respect the people helping you win the competition

" It shows you respect the people working with you, the people helping you win this popular competition," Annie Owens said.

" Tell the world you are delivering top-class food and a top-class atmosphere by providing the very best workplace conditions that any restaurant can boast about in our great city.

Safe, decent workplaces make great restaurants

" Tell the world you believe safe workplaces make great restaurants," Annie Owens said.

" That's a real challenge to match the challenge of delivering fine food and a relaxed, quality Manly atmosphere.

" Evan and Bella this is to tell you over the next few weeks we'll be out there promoting our e-mail campaign

Show us why we should vote for you

" We'll be asking that you show what I am sure is there, your decency, when it comes to Stewart, the sous chef, and all the other people working for you in this competition," Annie Owens said.

" Offer transparency to the workforce. Offer a collective agreement."

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