Public transport under attack: the SEV raises its voice against violence (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• Day of Action against violence against public transport employees on 3 September.
• Increase in verbal and physical aggression from the pandemic.
• SEV calls for greater respect and safety.

Key Facts

• What: Day of action against violence against public transport employees.
• When: September 3rd.
• Where: Locarno SBB station, Bern, Lucerne, Thun and French-speaking Switzerland.
• Who: SEV Transport Staff Union.
• Amount: Around ten attacks on SBB per day.

Violence against public transport staff continues to be a worrying reality in Switzerland. Since the pandemic, verbal and physical aggression has increased significantly and remains at high levels. For this reason, the transport staff union SEV is organising a national day of action against violence and to promote greater respect in public transport on 3 September.

The meeting will take place at Locarno SBB station at 10:30 a.m. "For many colleagues in public transport, attacks have become a sad everyday reality. Some have been insulted, others threatened, physically assaulted or spat upon," says SEV vice-president Barbara Keller. "Current data show that the problem has not decreased. The number of attacks against public transport staff remains at an alarmingly high level."

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Operational details

Practical implications

The day of action organised by the SEV aims to raise awareness among the public and the authorities of the seriousness of the problem of violence against public transport staff. SEV vice-president Barbara Keller said that "every aggression is one too many" and that it is necessary to act together to stop this trend.

Safety and Support Measures

To tackle the problem, concrete measures such as increased staffing, double accompaniment and systematic support for victims of aggression are needed. SEV President Matthias Hartwich stressed the importance of coordinated action between all actors involved to ensure greater safety and respect for public transport staff.

Monitoring and interpellation

The SEV intends to bring the issue to parliament during the autumn session and is calling for an interpellation to be submitted to the Federal Council. In addition, the union is calling for the establishment of a national system for monitoring incidents of violence against public transport staff. This system would allow for a clearer view of the extent of the problem and more effective measures to be taken to combat it.

Comparison with the previous situation

Before the pandemic, attacks against public transport staff were already a problem, but the situation has worsened significantly in recent years. The day of action on 3 September is an important step to draw attention to the difficulties that public transport workers face on a daily basis and to promote concrete change.

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Key points

Concrete actions

To address the problem of violence against public transport staff, a number of concrete measures need to be taken. Here are some actions that can be taken:

Staff augmentation

Sufficient staff are crucial to ensure safety in public transport. Authorities need to invest in training and hiring new employees to cover shifts and ensure a constant presence in stations and on means of transport.

Double accompaniment

Double accompaniment can be an effective solution to reduce the risk of aggression. Having two people on board the means of transport can deter potential attackers and ensure a faster response in case of an emergency.

Systematic support for victims

Victims of assault need systematic support to deal with the psychological and physical consequences of violent incidents. Authorities must ensure quick and easy access to psychological and medical support services for public transport workers.

Monitoring and interpellation

The SEV calls for the establishment of a national system for monitoring incidents of violence against public transport staff. This system would allow for a clearer view of the extent of the problem and more effective measures to be taken to combat it. In addition, the union intends to bring the issue to parliament during the autumn session and is calling for an interpellation to be submitted to the Federal Council.

Conclusion

The day of action on 3 September is an important step to draw attention to the difficulties that public transport workers face on a daily basis and to promote concrete change. To ensure greater safety and respect for public transport staff, a number of concrete measures must be taken and action taken together. Per ulteriori informazioni, consulta il calcolatore stipendio.

Source: tio.ch