Music festival hits the wrong notes for MSP
JONATHAN GEDDES
Scotland’s leading music festival has come under fire from a local list MSP.
James Kelly has attacked the bosses of TRNSMT, which recently took place on Glasgow Green and featured the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy and Castlemilk singing sensation Gerry Cinnamon – due to bar workers at the summer bash having their tips withheld.
Recent reports by our sister paper the Sunday Mail revealed workers at the festival were told that their tips were being donated to charity.
The festival, which saw around 50,000 people take to Glasgow Green each day in July employs a human resources company to find workers.
Mr Kelly said: “I am shocked and outraged at the way young workers have been treated at TRNSMT. It is completely unacceptable that tips should be withheld from workers in this manner.
“TRNSMT must take action to address the disgraceful way workers have been treated. I have written to TRNSMT demanding they investigate how much money has been withheld in this manner and take steps to ensure the workers are reimbursed.”
Mr Kelly’s letter to Geoff Ellis, chief executive of festival organisers DF Concerts, claims the success of the music event has been “somewhat tainted” due to the allegations, which also saw workers say they were denied breaks.
Employees were hired by HAP Recruitment, who then insisted that catering company Central Fusion Services was responsible for TRNSMT’s tips policy and that it simply supplied the staff.
A festival spokesperson said: “TRNSMT works with Central Fusion, which in turn engages their chosen recruitment company, HAP Recruitment, to hire hospitality staff. Central Fusion enforces their own policies regarding tips and staff searches, so we are unable to comment on their behalf.
“We understand that charity donations made by the contractor will be received by two charities – CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) and the Care Leavers’ Foundation – and that staff are made aware of this before they come onsite.”