The TSSA Union – the union for transport and travel workers – has launched a report, detailing the main findings from research conducted on TSSA members about workplace violence.
The union launched the report at parliament on Wednesday 26 February 2025, where parliamentarians have been invited to find out more about the campaign and take action to curb violence and abuse experienced by transport workers.
To better understand the extent of workplace violence experienced by TSSA members, the union conducted an online survey, highlighting the prevalence, types, and impact of violent incidents – 650 people responded.
The main findings from the survey, include:
- Over half of respondents reported experiencing some form of violence—either physical or verbal—within the past year.
- 95% of respondents (216) reported that they had been on the receiving end of verbal threats or abuse.
- 40% of respondents (91) reported incidents involving weapons, pointing to the heightened dangers transport workers face, particularly in frontline roles.
- 40% of the respondents (91) reported incidents resulting in minor injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or sprains.
- Racial harassment was reported by 43% of respondents (98), illustrating the additional burdens faced by workers from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
- 37% of respondents (83) reported sexual harassment, highlighting the disproportionate risks faced by certain demographics, particularly women and LGBTQ+ workers.
The Keep Transport Workers Safe campaign 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 tackle this issue, 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 transport 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 develops a joint charter against transport worker violence with the Department of Transport.
- Employers set up systems for employees to report incidents, support staff who have been subjected to abuse and better promote reporting assaults on staff.
- Resources are reinstated to BTP, enabling them to respond to and deal with incidents efficiently and effectively.
Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary for TSSA Union said: “As General Secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), I stand with our members and all transport workers in calling for transformative change. This report provides a roadmap for action, urging parliamentarians to strengthen protections for workers and employers to step up their responsibilities.
“I am appalled at the extent and severity of violence TSSA members are experiencing in their workplaces. Many are going to work every day, knowing they are likely to face violence and abuse, with very little being done to stop it. This has to end, for the safety and well-being of the staff who keep the country moving every day, and for the future of transport in the UK.
“Together, we must create a transport network that is not only efficient and reliable but also safe and inclusive for everyone.”
The Keep Transport Workers Safe report can be found here.
Image credit: iStockphoto.com
