Transport union welcomes shelving of unpaid scheme

The RMT rail union last month claimed victory after the government shelved plans to introduce voluntary unpaid workers on the railway network.

The Department of Transport had contracted volunteering charity Volunteering Matters to recruit volunteers to perform safety critical roles at railway stations. Tasks were expected to include supporting passenger flow in and out of stations and guiding passengers through new designated social distancing safe pathways.

However, the union said a leaked email from one of the volunteer programme’s providers said the project “has been shelved for now” due to disagreement between unions and government over the scheme.

And it seems that other government departments are considering using volunteers to provide key services. In May, pharmacy chain Boots had to withdraw advertisements asking for unpaid volunteers to carry out coronavirus testing of NHS staff after opposition from unions and politicians.

Boots had asked that applicants be prepared to work 32 hours a week unpaid on a government-backed contract.

Such a scheme may have been in breach of National Minimum Wage rules, which require the minimum wage to be paid where a “volunteering” arrangement creates certain mutual obligations.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/members-updates/use-of-voluntary-unpaid-labour-on-the-railway-network120620/

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/rmt-celebrates-victory-after-plans-rail-volunteers-have-been-scrapped