LOW-paid staff at a top hotel and resort on the banks of Loch Lomond are "in revolt" over missing out on hundreds of pounds in tips, their trade union says.

The Unite union has demanded a "fairer system" for staff at Cameron House's bars and restaurants.

About 60 workers are said to be up in arms over what they called an "opaque tips system" at the upmarket venue where a bottle of wine can cost up to £1,200.

But the hotel's owners hit back and insisted 100 per cent of tips are paid to staff.

The union said the hotel added a 10 per cent service charge in January without any consultation.

Of that, 15 per cent is kept by the hotel for "self-funded Christmas presents" for all staff.

Unite also alleged the service charge was being used to subsidise promised income of salaried staff.

And they claimed all tips on cards were kept until the end of the year, meaning staff who leave the company lose out.

'Luxury hotel'

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Minimum wage workers are losing hundreds of pounds worth of tips at Cameron House, one of Scotland’s top-drawer luxury hotels. This is staggering abuse - a posh resort for the rich fleecing the tips of minimum-wage workers.

“The workers are fighting back and they have Unite’s rock solid support. The hotel faces significant reputational damage unless it acts to end this injustice.”

Unite called for a new "tips committee" and said it had been verbally agreed by the resort manager after a meeting. This, Unite said, would ensure "democratic and proportionate distribution" of service charges and card tips. They said it is the system recommended by HMRC.

Unite hospitality organiser Bryan Simpson added: "A month after our members submitted this collective grievance, Cameron House senior management continue to refuse to honour the key commitments they made during negotiations.

"They need to ensure tips are distributed fairly, transparently and democratically. Our members have had enough and will be escalating their campaign for fair tips at Cameron House."

'Committed to being open'

But Cameron House insisted the service charge is not new and credit card gratuities have normally been paid at the end of the year. They disputed claims they refused to discuss the issues.

A spokesperson for Cameron House said: "Cameron House gives 100 per cent of service charges to our staff and always has.

"We are committed to being open and transparent during this process and will work closely with Unite and the teams to come to an agreement as quickly as possible.

"Getting a satisfactory outcome for our team is a priority and we will continue to move forward to deliver this.”