RMT demands an end to railway violence

The RMT rail union has called for zero tolerance of violent crime after official figures revealed an 8% increase in assaults on staff across the rail and Tube networks in 2006/07.

According to the British Transport Police, more than 3,000 assaults were committed last year against rail workers — but the union says some rail companies are ignoring the issue.

“It is our members who have to bear the brunt of aggressive, drunken behaviour, particularly at night and when working alone,” said general secretary Bob Crow. “It is time to put staff safety ahead of profits.”

RMT members on the Bakerloo line took a further day of strike action in August against London Underground’s plans for lone working, which threaten to place workers at increased risk of attack.

The union has also renewed its demand for the reinstatement of Paul Yarwood, a train guard with an exemplary record who was sacked by the One rail firm following an incident with a violent and abusive fare-evader.