Name your price for millennium shift
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WILD HORSES won't drag some people into work on the millennium New Year's Eve, but others are ready to turn up for more than 10 times their usual wages.
Staff who will have to cope with drunken revellers are among those insisting on the biggest percentage increases, according to a survey by Barclays Merchant Services.
The going rate for security personnel at London entertainment venues will be pounds 30 to pounds 50 an hour compared with the usual rate of about pounds 4. Some caterers near the meridian line at Greenwich are known to be contemplating the creation of the first pounds 1,000-a-shift waiter.
One in four employees is so determined not to work that they would prefer to quit rather than go to work, the survey suggests. Nearly two-thirds of respondents told researchers they would refuse to report for duty.
Bars, restaurants and hotels could face an embarrassing shortage of staff unless there is a substantial financial lure.
Some workers are determined to cash in. The Mean Fiddler Organisation was seeking to hire the London Arena in the Docklands area of the capital, and was told it would have to pay four or five times the usual fee, largely because of the wages demanded by staff. Security personnel at the arena - who assume they will be dealing with many more drunks than at normal new year celebrations - have demanded, and will be paid, pounds 45 an hour.
Female respondents in the Barclays study were less prepared than their male counterparts to be persuaded into work. Three out of 10 women said that no amount of money would make them work, although eight out of 10 men said extra cash could help them to change their minds.
Two out of ten respondents said it would take more than pounds 500 to get them to work on 31 December 1999, while a slightly higher proportion would go for an extra week's holiday.
David Shrimpton, of Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, said that nine in ten pubs and seven in ten hotels thought they would have difficulty in luring bar staff. Clearly, employees were expecting more than their usual treble time for a New Year's Eve, he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments