'SKIVERS' IN BID TO SUE BOSSES FOR SUBWAY TV SNOOPING; Camera use branded illegal.

Byline: Mark McGivern

SUBWAY bosses are set to be sued for using CCTV cameras to snoop on staff.

Workers on the Glasgow underground say a sting operation by bosses, which led to two men being forced to resign, was illegal because the cameras are only meant to be used for crimefighting.

Lawyers for their union, Unite, are preparing a case against the bosses.

And Camerawatch, who regulate CCTV use, say Strathclyde Passenger Transport were previously warned they were breaking the law.

The Record revealed last week the crackdown on alleged skiving by track maintenance workers was led by SPT underground director DavidWallace.

After he busted one crew who went AWOL when they were supposed to be repairing track, weeks of CCTV images were reviewed.

As well as two workers being forced out, several were disciplined. It is believed two more workers are likely to be forced to quit this week, mainly through CCTV evidence.

Unite said yesterday their lawyers would seek to prove the use of the cameras was illegal in order to have the disciplinary action against all the workers overturned.

A Unite spokesman said: "We believe there has been a witch-hunt here and we believe it's possible to prove the cameras have been used illegally.

"If this is the case, our lawyers will be considering the cases of the 17 men who have been targeted by the SPT over the alleged skiving."

Workers claim the skiving on Sunday shifts only happened because men "stacked up" work earlier in the week.

They say the practice had gone on for more than 30 years, with the knowledge of bosses.

A Camerawatch spokesman yesterday said SPT had been warned before that they were breaking the law by using the cameras for snooping on staff.

He said: "According to the registration of their CCTV system, the reason for the CCTV is crime prevention.

"CCTV must not be used for anything other than what it is registered for - and it appears it may be being used for other than the registered reasons."

SPT refused to comment but it is understood lawyers advised them CCTV evidence could be used as the issue affected health and safety.

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