Sir, - I refer to the remarks of Frank O'Malley of SIPTU on wages in the hotel industry (The Irish Times, May 15th).
The average wage for a chamber maid is well under £8,500 a year. £7,500 would be more likely with very few tips and only about £50 a year for service charge share-out.
No matter what CERT or the Irish Hotel Federation say, wages are a big factor in the shortage of staff that is now countrywide in this industry. Why would anyone work so hard for £2.50 to £3.50 an hour, no paid overtime and no double pay for Sundays, if they didn't have to? - Yours, etc., Anne Gormly,
Callan, Co Kilkenny.