“Rail Union calls for no violence on trains!”

The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) says Wellingtonians are looking forward to events in the near future like the Rugby Sevens, David Bowie concert and International Cricket at the stadium. Patrons attending will make use of the Tranz Metro services to and from these events. Most of the patrons using the trains will behave themselves but unfortunately history shows that some will not. The Union has around 300 members working for Tranz Metro and wants to send a clear message to the travelling public – “our members are entitled to a safe non violent workplace!”

RMTU General Secretary Wayne Butson says “Our members want the public to have fun and when travelling on the trains to treat each other and on-board staff with mutual respect and good humour. We will not tolerate abuse, harassment and violence being perpetrated upon members”.

He said that “A shocking example of “violence on trains” occurred late on Wellington Cup day when a train manager was attacked from behind and the money collected from fares dropped onto the floor of the train and he had difficulty in getting it all returned”. “This was a shocking example of an unprovoked attack by intoxicated passengers on a worker who just wants to do his job!”

“On board train staff should not fear coming to work and especially on these special event days and alcohol is not an excuse for drunken thuggery!” says Wayne Butson

He went on to say that “Tranz Metro has a statutory obligation to provide a healthy and safe workplace to our members and so they are taking these incidents seriously. This has lead to the implementation of a number of initiatives to minimise the risk of “violence on trains”. “These include the installation of close circuit television camera’s into the Metro carriages, Maori wardens travelling on “at risk services”, trained security staff on hand and liaising with the police to combat the security issues for the public and Metro staff.”

“The Consumption of alcohol on board Tranz Metro services is banned and will be enforced.”

Wayne Butson finished by saying “Let’s make sure everyone, including our members, has a safe non violent journey travelling to and from the excellent events coming up in Wellington”

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