MORE than three in four front-line public transport workers say they are ready to take industrial action over escalating violence and abuse from passengers, rail union RMT has warned.

The union has called on employers to give workers better protection if industrial action is to be avoided.

The union’s survey of more than 6,000 members across rail, bus, metro, maritime and underground sectors found that two-thirds have experienced workplace violence in the past year.

More than 85 per cent were assaulted multiple times.

Most cases involved verbal abuse, with many also facing threats, physical assaults, and harassment including racist and sexist abuse, said the union.

Three in five of the most serious incidents happened during lone working.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Our members are being spat at, stabbed, threatened and abused on a regular basis while simply doing their jobs.

“This crisis has been fuelled by rail employers seeking to de-staff the railway and failing to hold perpetrators to account.

“De-staffing of public transport also puts passengers at increased risk of assault and anti-social behaviour.

“Employers and the government must act now to end lone working, restore staff numbers, reverse BTP (British Transport Police) cuts and support the introduction of a specific offence for assaulting a public transport worker.

“If our members do not see progress on this critical issue, then they are ready to escalate matters industrially, up to and including strike action.”

At its annual conference in Glasgow, RMT launched its Action Against Assaults campaign aimed at ending violence on public transport.

The union has called for an end to lone working and more legal protections for transport workers, including a standalone offence for assaulting public transport staff.

Other campaign demands include ensuring adequate staffing levels, reversal of cuts to British Transport Police, better reporting systems, support services and full sick pay for victims.

The union is backing a parliamentary amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, tabled by Labour MP Rachael Maskell, to legally protect all public transport workers from abuse and assault.

It would be similar to existing protections for emergency workers and proposed ones for retail staff.

The union will also pursue the amendment in the House of Lords.