VIOLENCE ION RAIL WORKERS IN SCOTLAND

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2020 :: RMTnews 13 R ail staff in Scotland have had to cope with a surge in passenger violence over the last five years, new figures show with the British Transport Police called in 1,438 times since 2014/15 as drunken abuse escalates. In the last year alone 453 violent offences have been reported to British Transport Police in Scotland. As a result, the Scottish government is backing the British Transport Police’s ‘Focused on your safety’ campaign. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Michael Matheson said that assaulting those that work on the railway and other passengers is unacceptable and I have no hesitation in supporting this important campaign. “Violence or abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. Everyone working or using public transport has an absolute right to go about their business without fear of verbal or physical assault,” he said. BTP Chief Superintendent Eddie Wylie also said that everyone had the right to a safe journey and whilst violent crime on the rail network remains low, any incident of violent crime is one too many. “Our network of uniformed police, plain-clothed officers and 150,000 CCTV cameras are looking out for both staff and passengers 24/7 but you can also always text us 61016 if you need us and call 999 in an emergency,” he said. RMT regional organiser Mick Hogg said that violence, abuse or threatening behaviour towards our members, railways staff is completely unacceptable. “More than that will land you with a criminal conviction, so by all means enjoy the festive season but don't disrespect our railway staff,” he said. seen the force decimated in recent years: “Lone working is the single most important and common factor in the sharp rise of workplace violence. 90% of the time, the criminals say things like ‘you can’t stop me, you’re alone’. (London Underground worker). “Drastically [increased], it’s dangerous and they want you to work on your own and state a body camera is your protection. There is no place of safety where I work. (Rail worker).” RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it was clear from these findings that violence and abuse against transport workers has reached epidemic proportions, exacerbated by increased lone working, cuts to staffing and cuts to the police force. “Coming just days after a particularly brutal incident at Manchester Victoria RMT will be stepping up the campaigning on this issue with the demand for urgent and decisive measures to be taken to protect staff throughout the industry. "It is frankly disgusting that the very same group of workers that the government is planning to ban from taking strike action to defend safety are the ones getting battered day in and day out with little or no serious protection. “Transport employers must take action to prevent violence and protect their staff and there must be tougher penalties against those who offend. Only a zero- tolerance approach will do. It is not acceptable that transport workers are being told that violence and abuse is ‘just part of the job’. “RMT will be ramping up its campaign against violence at work in the coming months and will take whatever action is necessary to support our members,” he said. VIOLENCE ON RAIL WORKERS IN SCOTLAND