Received from: RMT
Congress is concerned at the continued endemic of workplace violence and abuse against public-facing workers.
For example, a recent RMT survey of 6,000 public transport workers found:
i. two-thirds experienced workplace violence in the past year, the vast majority experienced violence multiple times
ii. three-quarters informed their employer, but only a third were satisfied with their employer’s response. Over two-thirds who did not report said it was because such incidents are now considered ‘part of the job’
iii. over three-quarters would take industrial action if they felt their employer was not doing enough to protect their safety.
Congress believes far more needs to be done by employers and government to prevent assaults and support workers.
Congress welcomes that some unions have secured greater legal protections for many workers and agrees to campaign for similar legislation for public transport workers and collate any evidence that identifies where legislation can be improved.
Congress is concerned that whilst there can be no excuse for assaults, there can be wider underlying causes that must be addressed, including cuts to staffing levels, austerity, worsening public services, the normalisation of violence through social media, cuts to law enforcement and growing misogyny, racism and LGBT+ and disability related violence.
Congress believes assaults should never be considered ‘part of the job’ and agrees to hold a day event with unions no later than Congress 2026 to discuss strategies to assist the General Council in producing an action plan to support affiliates in their campaigning against workplace assaults.
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
AMENDMENT
After paragraph 8, add:
“Congress applauds the union-led campaigns to tackle assaults and protect the health and safety of workers, through legislation, regulation, education and community engagement.”
Fire Brigades Union