TSSA launches campaign tackling workplace violence against transport workers

TSSA – the union for transport and travel workers – is launching a campaign to end workplace violence against transport workers. 

On Thursday 5 September at 16:30-17:30 the union is running free online tackling violence in the workplace training for transport workers. 

Journalists and workers across the transport industries are invited to join this online session, led by TSSA organisers, workplace representatives and training experts. The session will provide an overview of the types of abuse workers are subjected to, how to ensure adequate reporting and recovery post incident.    

Future sessions will focus on conflict avoidance and resolution, and health and safety in the workplace training for reps, to help minimise abuse targeted at staff. 

The campaign is being launched in response to the RSSB’s Annual Health and Safety Report 2023/24, which found that assaults on staff have increased, despite passenger journeys not fully recovering after the Covid-19 pandemic.  

To end workplace violence for transport workers, the TSSA’s campaign calls for: 

• The Government to ensure that existing powers to protect staff from assaults and abuse are being properly enforced; 
• Additional legislation for rail worker safety in England and Northern Ireland; 
• Government to negotiate with Stormont Executive in Northern Ireland for Transport Police to be introduced in Northern Ireland; 
• The Government to ensure zero tolerance policies to abuse are embedded into Great British Rail’s working practices;  
• Government to develop a joint charter against staff violence with the Department of Transport; 
• Employers to set up systems for employees to report incidents, support staff who have been subjected to abuse and to better promote reporting assaults on staff; 
• The British Transport police increase patrols on railways and the transport network more generally. 

Maryam Eslamdoust, General Secretary for TSSA Union said: 

“As General Secretary of the TSSA, I am proud to stand with our members and all transport workers in launching this vital campaign to eliminate violence in the workplace. Every day, transport workers face unacceptable threats, harassment, and assaults simply for doing their jobs — keeping our networks running and serving the public.  

“We will not tolerate a culture where violence is seen as ‘part of the job.’ It is time for real action and robust protections. This campaign is a call to everyone — employers, passengers, and the government — to stand with us and ensure transport workers are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve." 

 NOTES TO EDITORS: 

1. For any transport workers and journalists who would like to join the online training, they should contact Tina McCay - mckayt@tssa.org.uk or Charlotte Gerada – geradac@tssa.org.uk  
2. The campaign is in response to the Rail Safety and Standards Board’s Annual Health and Safety Report – 2023/24: Annual Health and Safety Report (rssb.co.uk) 
3. Workforce assaults resulting in injury or shock are up 36% from 2018/19 (from 1,160 to 1,579) 
4. In total 2,793 members of the workforce were injured or recorded shock/trauma due to assault and abuse in 2023/24. 
5. Harm received is now level with pre-pandemic harm, despite passenger journeys being 5% lower compared to 2019/20. 

ABOUT TSSA: 

TSSA is an independent trade union for the transport and travel industries. The union has thousands of members right across the UK and Ireland, working for the railways and associated companies, as well as ferries, bus services and the travel trade. TSSA secures quality pay rises, protects jobs and ensures safe workplaces. For more information, see here: TSSA - the union for people in transport and travel