The RMT says official figures underestimate the level workers in the rail, bus and ferry industries are threatened, abused and physically assaulted at work and that more than a third of incidents go unreported.

According to the Rail Safety and Standards Board, there were 4,865 reported assaults against rail workers in 2007 -- a 50 percent increase on 2002 figures -- with a further 2,064 assaults against London Underground staff in 2006-2007.

The RMT's own workplace survey found 71 percent of respondents were assaulted when they were on their own, with two thirds of assaults over tickets or fare disputes.

Backed by 76 MPs, RMT's charter calls for a zero-tolerance approach from employers, with all incidents investigated, an end to unnecessary lone-working and better legal protection for transport workers.

"The level of violence our members face at work is already unacceptable, yet year-on-year the problem gets worse, and it is time to put staff safety ahead of profits," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow in a statement.

"No-one should have to regard the fear of assault as part of the job, no-one should have to worry about reporting assaults for fear that they might be seen as the problem.

"Staff who are attacked should be able to expect the best possible care and support, but all too often the employer's response falls woefully short.

"We need the transport police to have enough resources to respond in time, every time, but we also need the best possible legal protection that sends out the signal that transport workers are not there to be attacked."

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Campaign targets transport violence

The Press Association: 1 September 2008

A leading trade union has launched a campaign aimed at tackling a "tidal wave" of violence against transport workers after new research showed that many incidents were going unreported.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union called for increased staffing levels, an end to lone working and better legal protection for rail, bus and ferry workers following a huge increase in assaults.

The union conducted its own study which it said revealed that official figures only represented the "tip of the iceberg", with as many as one in three incidents going unreported.

There were 4,865 assaults against rail workers last year - 13 a day - representing a 50% increase on the 2002 figure, said the union.

The RMT said its own data suggested that most front-line transport workers could expect to be assaulted, threatened or abused in the line of their duty.

The campaign included a charter setting out a zero-tolerance approach among all transport firms as well as encouragement to report every incident.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, said: "The level of violence our members face at work is already unacceptable, yet year on year the problem gets worse, and it is time to put staff safety ahead of profits.

"No one should have to regard the fear of assault as part of the job, no one should have to worry about reporting assaults for fear that they might be seen as the problem, and no one assaulted at work should have to wonder when, let alone if, the police might arrive. Staff who are attacked should be able to expect the best possible care and support, but all too often the employer's response falls woefully short.

"It is cost-cutting by private operators across the transport that has reduced staffing to the bone and has made transport workers more vulnerable. It is high time to reverse that trend and start putting guards and conductors back on trains and buses, and ensure that all stations and terminals are adequately staffed all the time they are open.

"We need the Transport Police to have enough resources to respond in time, every time, but we also need the best possible legal protection that sends out the signal that transport workers are not there to be attacked."