16 April 2026
RMT Press Office:
Transport union RMT has welcomed the Scottish National Party’s commitment to introduce specific legal protections for public transport workers, as part of its programme to tackle rising levels of abuse and violence.
The union said the pledge to extend protections which are already in place for emergency services and retail staff, to transport workers is a significant and positive step that reflects the reality of frontline roles across rail, bus, metro and ferry sectors.
The pledge follows commitments from Labour and Greens to legislate to protect public transport workers.
RMT has been campaigning for a bespoke offence of assaulting a transport worker as part of its national Action Against Assaults campaign, with a day of action scheduled for April 28 to highlight the scale of the crisis.
The union contrasted the commitment from Scottish political parties with the continued failure of the Westminster government to introduce a standalone offence for assaults on transport workers, despite repeated calls from RMT and the wider industry.
General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “We welcome these commitments from Scotland’s political parties, which recognises the vital role our members play in keeping passengers safe and the unacceptable levels of abuse and violence they face at work.
"We will be pressing the next Scottish Government to implement this change as soon as possible.
“This shows the success of our Action Against Assaults, and it stands in stark contrast to the failure of the Westminster government to act on a standalone offence despite a clear and growing need.
“This step in the right direction needs to be coupled with an end to lone working, proper staffing levels across the network and increased funding and presence for the British Transport Police to act as a real deterrent.
“Our national day of action on April 28 will underline just how serious this issue has become and will continue to build pressure until transport workers across Britain are properly protected in law and in practice.”
END
Notes:
RMT’s Action Against Assaults campaign will see coordinated activity across the UK, including leafleting at stations, ports and bus depots on April 28, marking International Workers Memorial Day.
The union will continue to press all political parties ahead of devolved elections to commit to introducing a specific offence in law and to deliver the resources needed to keep workers and passengers safe.
Extracts from manifestos
SNP
Our emergency services and retail staff have specific protections in law against assault and abuse. We will extend this to public transport workers, as we are aware that they can have an enforcement element to their job in relation to keeping passengers safe and this will help act as an additional deterrent.
Labour
Legislating to protecting workers from assault, bringing in stronger sentences for those who attack people in the course of their work.
Greens
Improve passenger and worker safety on our public transport network, through deploying transport safety officers on key routes, resisting cuts to staffing on our trains and in our stations, and reviewing existing legislation to ensure all workers are adequately protected from assault.
Want to receive updates from us? Subscribe to a mailing list
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Action Against Assaults, Scotland
Related News
- RMT to ballot Heavy Haul Rail members over job cuts and restructuring
- RMT welcomes conviction of Neo-Nazi terrorist who targeted Sadiq Khan
- RMT calls for cleaners to be brought in-house on Southeastern
- RMT condemns antisemitic attack in Golders Green
- Action Against Assaults national campaign day on Tuesday
Latest News
- RMT to ballot Heavy Haul Rail members over job cuts and restructuring
- RFA strike Friday 8 and Wednesday 13 May over pay
- RMT welcomes conviction of Neo-Nazi terrorist who targeted Sadiq Khan
- RMT calls for cleaners to be brought in-house on Southeastern
- RMT condemns antisemitic attack in Golders Green
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: