Hospitality chief slams plans for new legislation on staff transport
Stephen Montgomery of the Scottish Hospitality Network is strongly opposing an MSP's plans to launch a bill in parliament
Stephen Montgomery, a business owner and spokesperson for the Scottish Hospitality Network, says new legislation for hospitality venues would be unnecessary.
Mr Montgomery is criticising a member’s bill being planned by Maggie Chapman, an MSP for the Scottish Greens.
The bill, which has not yet been launched in the Scottish Parliament, would make hospitality venues pay for late-night staff’s transport home.
Ms Chapman is working with Unite Hospitality to prepare a bill that would make free transport home for late-night workers a prerequisite for all new liquor licences.
Concerns after assault
Unite have been campaigning for changes to legislation following an incident last year, when one of their activists was sexually assaulted on her way home from work after midnight.
The activist was asked by her manager to work until 1AM and was promised paid transport home.
An hour before her shift ended, her manager told her she could finish earlier to catch the last bus home.
The bus never arrived, and, left to travel home alone the activist was sexually assaulted.
Calls for co-operation
Mr Montgomery said: “Whilst we would condemn any assault on a worker or customer or anyone else walking the streets late at night, this cannot just be directed at hospitality.
“This only furthers finger pointing at one sector, when this should be an issue for everyone to address."
Mr Montgomery added that Ms Chapman: “Would be better off calling on the Scottish Government to improve public transport and to get more police on the streets, rather than putting this down against hospitality businesses.
“Let’s face it, if this had happened to an NHS worker finishing a twilight shift, would she be calling on the NHS to do the exact same thing she’s calling on hospitality to do?
“Hospitality businesses already do plenty for the safety of our staff. We have things like the best-bar-none scheme.
“Many people within my group already pay for our members who work late to get home.
“Staff also send us texts to confirm they’ve got home.
"We always have the best interests of our staff and the safety of our staff at the forefront of our operations.
“We’ve called on Unite Hospitality to meet with us several times to discuss and work with us. As of yet they’ve not come forward.
“We’re prepared to meet with Ms Chapman and Unite collectively, to better spread the word on what hospitality businesses are already doing as far as pay and conditions are concerned.”
Safety of staff
Ms Chapman is planning to introduce a bill because: “Intimidation, abuse and assault are all far too common in the hospitality industry.
“When low wages and poor conditions are so prevalent in the industry, many are forced to spend their shifts wondering how they will get home at the end of it.
“Far too many employers feel that their obligations end as soon as the lights are out and the venue is closed."
"Employers are increasingly aware of the importance of staff wellbeing and the role they can play in improving this.
"The hospitality sector is vital to Scotland's economy, but it wouldn't exist without workers.
"We need to ensure pair and conditions for workers are fair and that the safety and wellbeing of staff is looked after.
"I hope this bill will allow us to talk more broadly about availability of and safety on public transport.
"If we secure improvements for hospitality workers, it will make things better for everyone."
Ms Chapman hopes to have a draft of legislation ready before Christmas.