The
RMT▸ has launched a campaign to establish a code of protection for transport workers to prevent them being assaulted.
The RMT says official figures underestimate the level workers in the rail, bus and ferry industries are threatened, abused and physically assaulted at work and that more than a third of incidents go unreported.
According to the Rail Safety and Standards Board, there were 4,865 reported assaults against rail workers in 2007 -a 50% increase on 2002 figures - with a further 2,064 assaults against London Underground staff in 2006-2007.
The RMT's own workplace survey found 71 percent of respondents were assaulted when they were on their own, with two thirds of assaults over tickets or fare disputes.
For full details, see
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2008/09/rmt_launches_campaign_to_stop.html#more