by Keith Richmond
THE RMT says there are now 13 serious assaults on rail staff every day – and that is just the tip of the iceberg, as many attacks go unreported.
Most of those were on men and women working alone when they were assaulted – placed at risk, says the union, by the privatised rail companies’ pursuit of profit.
RMT leader Bob Crow said: “Train guards, bus conductors and station staff have been swept away on the back of privatisations that elevated profit-making to the number one priority ahead of service provision or the safety of passengers and workers.”
Bus, coach and rail firms have put up posters warning pasengers of the penalties for assaulting staff.
Mr Crow commented: “That is all well and good except that, each year, the violence gets worse.
“It is not and never will be acceptable for workers to be subjected to abuse, assault or the threat of violence as ‘part of the job’.
“A dramatic rise in lone working is one of the major problems thrown up by the privatisation of our industries.”
