Violence against transport workers out of control, says TSSA

TSSA said violence against transport workers is “out of control,” as new figures showed more than half of workplace representatives have faced violence or abuse on the job. 

TSSA published its ‘Keep Transport Workers Safe on Britain’s Railway – Reps Violence at Work Survey’ on Workers’ Memorial Day, which found 55.5% of reps had experienced repeated abuse, including verbal and racial abuse, spitting, physical assaults, threats with weapons, harassment and sexual assault.

The report showed staff working in offices, depots and stations are being exposed to aggression from passengers and the public. 

Some described risks before even starting work, such as walking along poorly lit routes and facing abuse at work sites.

TSSA said the increase in violence is linked to wider issues, including the cost of living crisis, wage stagnation and reduced access to mental health services. 

The union also raised concerns that not enough perpetrators are facing consequences, as the British Transport Police are not being given enough resources to deal with the problem.

Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary at TSSA, said: “On Workers’ Memorial Day we remember those who have lost their lives because of their work, and that must include our member Belly Mujinga. 

“Belly was spat at by a passenger carrying Covid and later died after contracting the virus. We must remember her and do better as an industry to protect transport workers.