Cross-company zero-tolerance campaigns, an end to unnecessary lone-working, more uniformed staff and better legal protection for transport workers are at the heart of the campaign launched by the union today. 

After surveying its own front-line members, RMT says that official assault figures represent only the tip of the iceberg, that police fail to attend as many as 40 per cent of reported incidents, and that more than a third of incidents go unreported. 

There were 4,865 reported assaults against rail workers in 2007 - that's 13 a day, and a 50 per cent increase on the 2002 figure of 3,179 - and that is also aside from the 2,064 assaults against staff reported on London Underground in 2006/07. 

But data collected from RMT members suggests that most front-line transport workers can expect to be threatened, abused or physically assaulted at work. 

Here are some typical comments from the survey: 

"If I reported every verbal assault on a daily basis I would become a nuisance to the British Transport Police."

Employee, Transpennine Express 

"No point in reporting the assault as my company couldn't care less for its employees. Profits matter, not people."

Employee, Heysham Port Ltd

"Didn't report the assault, as I didn't want to be seen as a troublemaker."

Employee, P&O

 "London Underground does not like incidents to be reported and view staff as the problem if an individual reports too many assaults."

Employee, London Underground 

"A colleague was subjected to an armed robbery and the company seemed more concerned with when they would return to work than their welfare. It seems to me that while the company pays lip service to protecting and assisting staff involved in assaults, ultimately its main interest is protecting revenue. Everything else comes second."

Employee, Southern 

RMT's charter calls for a unified zero-tolerance approach among all transport employers, with all incidents investigated and appropriate action taken, along with proper risk-assessment, effective training and encouragement to report all incidents. 

The main aim should be to prevent assaults, but there should also in place adequate care to ensure that victims of assaults are given all the support and assistance they need. 

The union's campaign already has the backing of 76 MPs who have so far signed an early-day motion that urges the government and employers to take all necessary steps to prevent assaults and to secure the strongest possible legal protection for transport workers. 

Early Day motion 901 tabled by John McDonnell and signed by 75 others to date states: 

“That this House applauds the vital work of Britain's transport workers who, as essential public servants, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect; believes there is a clear responsibility on the Government together with employers in the rail, ferry and bus industries to take all the necessary steps to prevent staff assaults and provide care for those who are assaulted; further believes that reducing staff assaults will help reduce anti-social behaviour and provide a safer environment for transport users; therefore supports the aims of the campaign of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union which seeks firstly to raise awareness with employers and the public, secondly to secure the strongest possible legal protection for transport workers against assault, thirdly to establish effective cross company forums in each of the rail, bus and ferry industries and finally to persuade transport employers to adopt best practice when developing policies to prevent staff assaults and provide care for those who are victims of assault.”