vida calls for swift action for more security after deadly attack on German train conductor
vida-Taucher: Zero tolerance for violence – safety of railway employees is non-negotiable
Security
The trade union vida is deeply shocked by the death of a German train conductor who succumbed to his serious injuries after a brutal attack by a fare dodger. The 36-year-old railway employee was attacked during a ticket check on the train; any help came too late.
"This tragic incident once again makes visible the real dangers that employees in the rail sector are exposed to on a daily basis."Vorsitzender des Fachbereichs Eisenbahn, Gewerkschaft vida
"This senseless act of violence fills us with sadness and bewilderment. At the same time, however, it also shows unmistakably that consistent action is finally needed. There must be no tolerance whatsoever for assaults and violence against employees in public transport - neither in Germany nor in Austria." Tauchner is also President of the Railway Section of the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF).
For years, the number of verbal and physical attacks on railway workers has been increasing, warns Tauchner. In particular, situations in direct passenger contact, for example during ticket inspections, would escalate more and more frequently and quickly. "Our colleagues do highly responsible work – often under difficult conditions. They must be able to rely on the fact that their safety is the top priority for politicians and employers."
The trade union vida is therefore calling for a clear political solidarity at national and European level as well as clear signals from the railway companies that attacks on employees will no longer be accepted as a calculated occupational risk. "The safety structures in the railway companies must be strengthened in a targeted manner. Working conditions must be expanded and sustainably improved to include effective prevention and de-escalation measures," said Tauchner.
It is also central that railway workers are no longer left alone in dangerous situations. The union is therefore expressly calling for more staff on board the trains. "Any measure that prevents escalation and effectively protects employees must now be implemented quickly."
"There were enough announcements. Now we need concrete action," Tauchner emphasizes in conclusion. "The safety of railway workers is non-negotiable."
