Thu. Nov 7th, 2024
alert-–-calls-for-police-probe-into-sexual-harassment-at-rail-union-aslef:-female-train-drivers-claim-to-have-been-raped,-sexually-assaulted,-shown-porn-at-work-and-ridiculed-by-male-colleagues,-secret-report-revealsAlert – Calls for police probe into sexual harassment at rail union Aslef: Female train drivers claim to have been raped, sexually assaulted, shown porn at work and ridiculed by male colleagues, secret report reveals

A leaked report into train drivers union Aslef has revealed allegations by female members of rape, sexual harassment and male colleagues displaying porn. 

The shocking findings include at least four allegations of rape or sexual assault in the previous five years.

A quarter of female members who contributed to the findings claimed they have experienced sexual harassment at work, branch meetings or socials. 

Dozens said they had been groped or touched sexually while others said they had been told unwelcome sexual jokes or gestures.

Twelve female members reported having had their breasts, bottom or genitals groped either at work or a union event and 26 said they’d been touched in a sexual nature – including male colleagues touching their back, knee or trying to kiss them. 

The report was leaked to The Sun who reported its findings as train drivers announced more strike action. 

Tory MP Greg Smith told the newspaper: ‘This is a deeply disturbing set of revelations about Aslef which need full investigation and perpetrators brought to justice.’

A leaked report into train drivers union Aslef has revealed shocking allegations (stock image)

A leaked report into train drivers union Aslef has revealed shocking allegations (stock image)

Only 16 per cent of the alleged harassment victims reported their claims to Aslef and almost two thirds said they had not because they did not believe actions would be taken. 

Four said they did not come forward because the alleged perpetrator was in a powerful position and there were no reports made to the police.

It comes after it was announced that train drivers on LNER and Northern will stage a one-day strike and ban overtime for three days in the latest industrial action to hit Britain’s beleaguered rail passengers.

Members of Aslef at the operators will walk out on March 1 and ban overtime from February 29 until March 2 in a separate row to the long-running national pay dispute.

The union claimed its action was linked to unspecified ‘agreements’ being broken both by LNER, which runs services between London King’s Cross and Scotland via York; and Northern, which operates across 500 stations in the North of England.

Aslef members at rail operator Northern will also go on strike on March 1, the union announced

Aslef members at rail operator Northern will also go on strike on March 1, the union announced

Train drivers on LNER will stage a one-day strike on March 1 and ban overtime for three days

Train drivers on LNER will stage a one-day strike on March 1 and ban overtime for three days

Aslef also revealed train drivers at five train operators – c2c, Chiltern Railways, East Midlands Railway, Northern and TransPennine Express – had voted to continue taking strike action for six months in the pay and conditions dispute.

Unions involved in disputes have to reballot their members every six months on continuing with industrial action – and the deadlock has still not yet been broken.

The leaked report, whose findings were revealed by the Sun, came after Aslef approached 1,483 women. They received 467 responses reporting on personal experiences. Of those, 106 made sexual harassment claims. 

In total 91 per cent reportedly said the alleged sexual harassment took place at work while the remainder claimed it was at a branch meeting or union social.

Findings were given to the executive committee in October 2022.

has contacted Aslef for comment on the leaked report.  

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