Composite H (covering Amended Motion 20 & Motion 22)
Safer Public Transport in Scotland
“That this Congress welcomes the approach to the creation of publicly owned Great British Railways (GBR) taken by the Scottish and UK Governments, including the Scottish Government retaining its rail powers, a statutory role for the Scottish Government in GBR and a commitment to jointly consider further integration between track and train. Congress calls for protections and improvement of rail jobs and conditions to be central to the development of railways in Scotland and Great British Railways.
“Congress remains concerned that private operation of rail services could remain in the form of open access operations such as Lumo. Congress believes all open access jobs and services should be incorporated into GBR.
“Congress also has serious concerns about the increasing prevalence and severity of violence and abuse on public transport, with a Unite survey indicating that 80% of bus drivers have experienced verbal and physical abuse and an RMT survey revealing:
- 70% of workers in Scotland experienced workplace violence in the past year;
- 80% of these were lone-working at the time;
- two-thirds affected were not satisfied with their employer’s response to the incident; and
- over 80% said they would be prepared to take industrial action over workplace violence if they felt their employer was not doing enough to protect their safety.
“Congress notes that assault and harassment, including sexual harassment, of women and girls across Scotland’s rail network surged by 19% last year, with British Transport Police logging 238 offences.
“Congress further notes that these figures cohere with an alarming longer-term increase in violence and assaults against passengers and transport workers; and that instances of violence and harassment disproportionately affect women, disabled, LGBTQ+ and BAME people and their sense of safety and security on the railways.
“Congress believes it is no surprise that violent crime and harassment have risen on the rail network as the Scottish Government has cut ScotRail ticket office hours, and as British Transport Police has faced significant cuts to services.
“Congress strongly believes that our public transport should be inclusive and that everyone – passengers and staff – should feel safe.
“Congress therefore supports campaigns by transport workers against abuse and anti-social behaviour, including the RMT’s Action Against Assaults campaign in Scotland. Key demands of which include:
- end lone working and increase staffing levels;
- effective action from employers to protect workers;
- increases, not cuts to the British Transport Police;
- stronger legal protections for public transport workers at work; and
- proper funding that supports public transport improvements to enhance worker and passengers’ safety and security.
“Congress calls on the General Council to lobby MSPs, Councillors, and MPs in Scotland and to consider supporting any campaigning or industrial initiatives which are undertaken to further the campaign’s objectives.”
“Congress further calls on the General Council to campaign for:
- properly staffed stations and a reversal of last year’s cuts to ScotRail ticket office opening hours;
- a fully funded and resourced BTP, reversing the cuts;
- an end to lone-working on the transport network;
- investment in lighting, better CCTV, and Help Points at stations;
- greater support for staff who have suffered assault, abuse, and harassment; and
- more robust reporting mechanisms for instances of abuse and harassment and railway banning orders for perpetrators.”
Mover: National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport workers (RMT)
Seconder: Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA)
Supporter: Unite
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