ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ON ASSAULTS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may/june 2025 :: RMTnews 14 Delegates attending the national industrial organising conference of station grades meeting in Lille, France called for action against the escalation of assaults on frontline transport workers. This included a presentation about how the union has prioritised a campaign to combat violence and assaults across the transport network. Some of the issues involved lone working, ticket office closures and British Transport Police (BTP) cuts. The union is seeking a change in legislation to increase deterrents against assaults and highlight the impact on vulnerable groups. Legislation was also required to regulate staffing levels on trains and stations and a reversal of cuts to ensure that the BTP is more responsive to staff assaults. Ultimately an increase in RMT membership density and increase the number of health and safety representatives in the workplace would empower staff at the workplace. Keiren Offlands, East London Rail said that outsourced workers were often even more vulnerable because they were not directly employed and had even less protection. Ross Marshall, Central Line West said that station staff had been at the forefront of the rise in staff assaults. “We remember the tragic death of brother Jorge Ortega at Ilford in 2024 which was again a record year for staff assaults. “Enough is enough, it is time to look at using our industrial muscle to defend our members at work because rail companies have simply not made safety improvements,” he said. He pointed out that when members defend themselves, they are often targeted rather than the perpetrators. Delegates called on the union to demand that the rail regulator hold companies to account under duty of care arrangements and risk assessments. Chevelle Jacobs, East London Rail said that at Goodmayes station a member was stabbed and only just survived. “This is a serious situation, and I think it’s time to stand up and take action,” she said. David Clews, North Thames said that many stations on his line were completely unstaffed despite being dangerous areas with a history of violence. “Let’s start thinking of safety,” he said. Keith Miller, Central Line and North Mersey said that there had been huge cuts in BTP numbers across the ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ON ASSAULTS Station grades demand action on staff assaults on the rail network