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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2020 :: RMTnews 7 RMT stepped up its ‘Stop Violence Against Tube Staff’ campaign last month as shocking new figures show that assaults on staff have risen by almost a quarter over the past three years with more than 600 attacks last year and with 35 incidents involving a knife. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that violence on the tube network was now out of control. “I am sick and tired of hearing warm words from the politicians and bosses running the system while my members are risking their lives every time they book on for work. The situation is that serious and RMT is demanding real action right now. "That means an end to lone working, a reversal of the damaging staff cuts and a culture that supports and protects tube staff rather than the toxic atmosphere that has been allowed to fester for too long. "RMT has made it clear that we will take whatever action is required, including industrial action, to protect our members safety, their status and their working conditions,” he said. RMT’s campaign to fight for a safe workplace by ending lone working, to demand that all existing Revenue Control Inspector vacancies be filled and to carry out an audit of all stations to ensure safe staffing levels. RMT also opposes the creation of a new revenue grade on inferior terms and the deployment of non-LUL staff on LUL infrastructure. A recent RMT study which involved more than 300 workers also revealed that one in five station-based Tube workers have been physically assaulted, including being threatened with knives, suffering racial abuse and being shoved towards train tracks. One worker told the union that abuse was "a constant and common occurrence working on the Underground", while another said that ticket inspectors were "regularly assaulted". RMT's research also suggested one in 10 Tube workers had been sexually harassed by passengers. Mick Cash said that RMT members were in the front line without the staffing resources and back up that they need to deal with this appalling situation. “Be under no illusions, RMT will take whatever action, including industrial action, to guarantee a safe working environment for our members and to protect their status and conditions against this background of violence,” he said. END TUBE VIOLENCE RMT demands immediate action as violence against London transport staff hits shocking new levels