Sunday Mail (UK)

ScotJail? They only want free workers

INMATES TO LAND JOBS AT CITY STATIONS Union boss Rail operators should be hiring full-time staff

- Craig McDonald

ScotRail want to use prisoners as free labour, union bosses have claimed.

The train provider are in discussion­s with the Scottish Prison Service over day-release schemes for long-term convicts.

Voluntary roles – including cleaning duties – would be built into the inmates’ training for freedom programme.

Offenders recently released from custody would also be drafted in to the positions.

But the Rail Maritime Transport (RMT) union say the under-fire rail operators should be hiring full-time staff for the jobs.

They say there are up to 90 vacancies at ScotRai l across areas such as on-train hospitalit­y, sanitary and gate workers.

The union also voiced anger at the number of agency staff being used as short-term cover for vacant positions.

Inmates are due to take up posts at major stations including Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

They will also be based at depots such as Eastfield in Glasgow’s Springburn.

RMT Scottish organiser Mick Hogg said: “Agency staff are already being used to take up the slack.

“This is costing a lot of money as a short-term fix.

“It’s our belief the company have thought, ‘Using offenders could get us out of a hole over a three-month period.’

“If that’s the reality, we will not stand for it. We believe if there’s a business case to use agency staff, there’s a business case for people to be employed full-time.

“We’ve demanded a meeting with ScotRail on this issue of vacancies and ex- offenders and are awaiting a response.

“We’ll also be raising the matter in parliament with the Transport Secretary and seeking assurances that vacancies will be properly filled as soon as possible.

“We would never criticise a scheme which helps ex-offenders back into work.

“But we’d be furious at the thought they’re used to backfill existing vacancies and are employed as free labour.”

The S cot Rail franchise agreement, operated by Dutch firm Abellio, outlines an obligation to provide training for Scottish prisoners.

It states: “From June 1, 2016, the franchisee shall make at least two visits per year to Scottish prisons to provide recruitmen­t and selection workshops.

“And the y sha l l mak e avai lable at least f ive work placements for newly released ex-offenders.”

Hogg added: “We stress we have nothing against this in principle. But the idea that someone in this position could be lined up to temporaril­y fill a job currently lying vacant would be outrageous.”

The Scottish Prison Service said: “Staff from Abellio ScotRail have been to some of our jails to speak to both male and female prisoners coming out of short and long-term sentences.

“Discussion­s have taken place about the potential for them to have jobs or training places.

“None have gone on placement yet.”

ScotRai l said: “The short , one- day- per-week placements have nothing to do with filling vacancies and everything to do with helping these individual­s boost their skills, contribute to and integrate back in to Scottish society – and we’re proud of our contributi­on.”contributi­on.

We’d be furious if prisoners were just being used as free labour

 ??  ?? ON NEW TRACK Inmates are set to do jobs such as cleaning carriages
ON NEW TRACK Inmates are set to do jobs such as cleaning carriages
 ??  ?? TICKET TO RIDE Prisoners could take up posts at Glasgow Central and, far left, Edinburgh Waverley
TICKET TO RIDE Prisoners could take up posts at Glasgow Central and, far left, Edinburgh Waverley
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 ??  ?? CONCERNS Rail Maritime Transport union’s Mick Hogg
CONCERNS Rail Maritime Transport union’s Mick Hogg

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