DEFENDING BUS WORKERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may/june 2025 :: RMTnews 11 catastrophic fires that will make public transport a safe way to travel without fear,” he said. Lee Odams, Notts & Derby called for the bus bill to include the introduction of an independent investigatory body such as provided to the rail and air industry. “This should include the creation a national bus crash investigation branch,” he said. Simon Pick, Notts & Derby called for support for a bus drivers’ bill of rights. “We need to provide bus and coach workers basic human rights and a national standard through a bill of rights,” he said. Lee Odams also called for an enquiry into afety problems associated with Transport for London ‘contracted bus market’ model. RMT undertook two surveys of bus members, and the findings featured in the union’s responses to the Transport Select Committee and in briefings for politicians. The survey findings found that less than a third had seen any improvements to bus services in their area since the previous government introduced enhanced partnerships. Over 90 per cent think that all local communities should have guaranteed minimum service frequency for local bus services. Three-quarters thought that it would be more reliable service if local authorities delivered their bus services via a publicly owned company and nearly 90 per cent were aware of bus workers leaving to join other sectors in the last year. Half of members backed the need for the government to identify anti-social behaviour and 90 per cent thought that requiring bus workers to deal with it could put their personal safety at risk. In terms of measures to reduce violence on buses, nearly 90 per cent cited the need for working CCTV on all bus services, for action taken against perpetrators and nearly three quarters called for the creation of a specific offence of abusing or assaulting a bus worker. Nearly two-thirds had had abusive behaviour directed towards them at work in the past year and nearly 90 per cent do not think their employer has sufficient measures to protect them. Unlike the rail sector, less than a third of members said that they have access to an Independent Confidential Reporting System such as CIRAS at work and 84 per cent said that they wanted access to it. More than a quarter were aware of a serious bus fire incident at their company in the past five years and nearly half of members said they had worked excessive hours in the past year. Over 90 per cent of bus members reported fatigue and poor work-life balance, nearly 70 per cent reported work- related stress and over 50 per cent suffered musculoskeletal problems. 95 per cent said that requiring bus drivers to work excessive hours increases safety risks within the sector and 60 per cent said that they do not get sufficient time for rest breaks during shifts. RMT BUS WORKER SURVEYS Results informed contents of union submissions to the Bus Services Bill AWARD: Conference presented former RMT regional organiser Phil Bialyk with a 50-year badge and Mick Prowse for his 62 years’ service, (left to right) Phil Bialyk, Exeter assistant branch secretary Ian Hodge, Mick Prowse and RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey.