The Premier is stepping in now to defend the tips of Ontario's servers & bartenders.

New Democrat Michael Prue has introduced a private members' bill to stop tip outs where management gets a take of money meant for servers & kitchen staff.

At first, the government wasn't hot on the idea.  Now Dalton McGuinty says people who leave a tip at bars & restaurants don't expect the owners to take a cut & the law should reflect that.

He has told the Labour Minister to take a close look at the NDP bill.

Last summer, servers with the Niagara Parks Commission threatened to strike over tip outs.

They were protesting a policy that saw management pocket 2% of the 15% gratuity banquet servers earn.

The rule was changed & a work stoppage was avoided.