We can’t run your trains on empty Bosses accused of agenda to bring in agency workers

Union chiefs say around 250 posts – five per cent of all ScotRai l jobs – are unfilled.

The vacancy rate across the UK is just 2.4 per cent, say EU statistics.

Mick Hogg, Scottish organiser at the RMT union, said the situation at ScotRail was scandalous.

He threatened ballots for industrial action and “all-out war” unless bosses acted to hire staff.

Hogg said: “We believe ScotRail have an agenda not to f ill vacancies or promote people so they can use agency staff to fill these posts.

“Staff have had enough. Staffing levels are so low that it’s becoming a health and safety concern.

“The biggest stations – GlGlasgow CCentral,tl QQueen Street and Edinburgh Waverley – are working with a handful of staff at gates and so on.

“They’re using agency staff to fill gaps and using young apprentices to work alone.

“We saw two British Transport Police officers assaulted at Haymarket thi s week. I f thi s is happening to police, what chance do staff have?

“We face bal loting every grade of staff over these 250 vacancies. Allout war is looming here.

“The vacancies are across the board – ticket staff, station and barrier staff, hospitality jobs, train care staff and cleaners.

“The agency staff come and go.

“They have worse terms and condi tions and are on lower wages for the first few months – the periodp they’re used for.

“We’ve been shouting abouta the use and abuse of agencya staff for two years.

“We feel as if we’re batb ter ing our heads offo a brick wall with the companyc and we’re at the point where enough is enough.”

ScotRai l have faced repeated criticism over levels of service since Abel l io, a branch of Dutch state rail firm NS, took over the franchise in April 2015.

A spokesman said their vacancy level “isn’t something we would publish” and insisted services were improving.

He said: “We are going through a per iod of significant change as we invest in new and better trains, that will deliver faster journeys, more seats and better service.

“The most recent figures showed 94 per cent of our trains are on time and nine out of 10 customers are satisfied with ScotRail.

“That has happened because of the dedication and skill of our people.”