THE UPEI sun, Thursday, October 23, 1980, page 6
Beer {0"5
Dear Editor: /
I have read several articles in The Sun this year that have totally unfounded com- plaints, but I feel I must reply to Nancy MacDonald's article entitled “Beer PriCes Aid Bartenders Only”, as her so-called “Facts”
were reallv out of focus. She stated that the Student
Union buys beer for less than 50¢ per bottle and sells it for $l.05. Ac- cording to Ms MacDonald, “That is over a l00% profit“. 0n the surface this may aDpear to be true, but
when it is looked at'a lit- tle deeper, other costs can be seen. Beer cups are
5 I/2 cents each. The bartender's salary must be paid. Also, there must be Campus Police present at nearly every event. Their wages must also be paid.
Ms MacDonald stated that “The majority of students on Campus feel that a 10¢ rise or a 95¢ beer is more than adequate to pay for increased expenses“. Did she poll the majority of Students? Even if she
did, and most students do feel this way, they are in- correct.
Remember last Thursday's Main Event at the Gym?
How much money do you think the Student Union made on the liquor that night-$500 more? After paying for ‘ things like liquor, sales tax, cups, mix, bartenders, C.P.'s and the rental of. the Gym, it is estimated that there was a $63.00 Ioss! I can show you the figures if you're inter‘ ested, Ms MacDonald.
Ms MacDonald goes on to say that “There are lots 0F students on campus that woufd work just for the wage alone”, in referring to bartender's tips. In
my four years here as a bartender, I haven't seen any of the staff refuse ’ their tips. Would a waitress at a restaurant Work just for wages and re- Fuse her tips?
Finally, she says that “It would be nice to take five dollars to an Event and get five beer instead of four”. Well, wouldn't it be nice to get ten beer for five dollars, or even better, have the bartenders pay you for drinking beer? Sure it would, but it's not
Very logical. The increase had to be made, or it Wou'dn't have been done.
I can understand Nancy MacDonald's resentment
Feéd
Of the increase in beer Prices, but it's not really our fault. There are more imPortant things around here that are being raised in price, such as tuition fees, but I don't hear much of a protest over that. Next time you get irritated about something Ms MacDonald, please check your facts and figures and make sure you have a legit- imate complaint. By Kent Walker, Head Bartender, U.P.E.I. S.U.
lVredBorIender
Ms. MacDonald ,
I have taken my time before writing in reply to your letter about beer prices being raised to help the bartender's tips. I think I have my blood pressure at a reasonable level so as not to say anything as out of context as sane reporting which you did fer The Sun.'
Your article is a one- sided attack against the bartenders and you never todk the time to even ask the bartenders questions upon which to base your article. Sure you went to Neil MaCKenzie, our beloved Comptroller and after you listened to hhn, you went back and wrote your article totally out of context fron what he told you.
In your_article, you state beer prices were raised to $1.05 to aid bartenders in their tips. I would have been happy if beer prices had been raised to 95¢, as we would probably average a nickel a beer in tips, but as it is now, we make less than 3¢ tip for each beer or drink sold. If beer prices were placed at $1.00 ea. I think you would find service very slow up- stairs because the reason for a tip is good service. '
we feel we give good service and fast service. Campared to a night club, where you might wait 15 to 20 minutes, you hardly wait longer than 10 min. at UPEI, barring exceptions.
Your article states, and I quote "Students are paying extra money to ensure tips for the bartenders". .
Take the blindfold off Ms. MacDonald and watch the bar sane time.. If a student feels they have
bag .
been given good‘service: then they may tip- If they feel otherwise, they are not obligated to tip. I never expect a tip instead I work hard for one.. You obviously never talked to John McAleer. In 1979—80 we lost $287.00 at the bar as compared t0'1978-79 when the bar made $5,000 profit. YCu tell us in your article that you talked to the majority of students on campus and they felt ' a 10¢ raise in beer ' prices was more than adequate . Tell me Me. MacDonald when did you take the time to consult over 700 people to obtain a.majority consensus, seeing as 1300 students go to UPEI. You tell us for every beer sold, we make 100% profit, but you never bothered to write in your article that it costs us 5¢ for one beer cup, and that is only one little fraction of the ' expense that cones out of the sovcalled 100% profit. Finally Ms. NacDonald,
. we the bartenders, had
no say in the_price of
the almighty beer. In— _
stead $1.05 was suggested
to us and we accepted.
we are not given the
power to raise or lower_,
beer prices. , Oh by the way, Ms. .
MacDonald, after I read'
your article on page 7,
I found another article-
written by you on page 2,
which you state the junior'
class made a very tidy
sum on the bar sales. .
YOu seemed happy in this
article because the »
junior class was making
25% of every beer sold.
‘, An injustice has been
ccnndtted, in that, the' bartenders are being blamed and we are on the receiving end for Criti? cism. we don't pocket the $1.05, the 8.0; does. ' ,‘You are never required to tip, instead it is etiquette to tip;for good service;» '
Boy does my chest feel-
. though,
_Tback.'Big”Deal.'
‘based on bartenders tips?
.the beer and grumbled. You
' questions will be'answered ’ and my hackles lowered.
_ I hope to hell not! 'Brian MacAdam.
Editor: " > , I'm writing in as a rat. sult of Nancy MacDonald's
\‘letter on the price of ‘4
beer. . -
I'd like to voice chm: / plete agreement, and put forward a few questions.
, How much do the barten- ' ders make in tips?/This, with their salary of $3 .per hour, gives them a total of about $30_as* suming h hours and a good crowd,
At the same time though, we have the C.P;'s making $h per hour for taking _ care of the door and ta- king shit from the drunks. For the same time put in they make about half what the bartenders make.
Would a solution be to. raise the bartenders sal- aries to $4 per hour and lower the price of beer to 95¢? , ..
After talking like this, I get told that it would never change. The bartenders would raise too much shit or quit, leaving the Barn with no staff. On top of which it seems-'th‘at
' the Student Union is making
too much money to change: systems. Besides, everyone keeps buying beer. Looks like a bumper year all
*round.
Figure that the Student Union is making more and more money to serve thej’v student body, How are'they [doing thiS? They're taking _our meney then giving it'7
[How is it that the price ‘is'decided on reasoning
But if the bartenders quit
Al'm sure that others could
be found; $h per hour and
5c not withstanding. ' Who am l_to complain? I'm
just one of those who bought
have to tip, or you end up looking like some sour-assed tight-wad.
'MI dOn't like either and perhaps with this letter my
Is apathy alive and well?
light!!! Next time people decide to critize, cane talk to the person involved and ask questions. Then~ when answers are given, listen to thanvflth an open mind._ 3.
Yours truly, - ’ "
A tired bartender,
_1ru1Clow
Helios Nexus.
GET YOUR BUNS TO THE SUN MEETIN 0N MONDAY,OCTOBER 27th.MO's BIG BASH WILL BE DISCUSSED IN DEPTH, IN MAIN,IN.THE SUN OFFICEgpNDER IHE*iNFLuENCE...so,§£;THERE;:§t