R-E-S-P-E-C-T, sock it to me, sock it me... (ouch)

I don't know about you, but I never thought of the subway operator or bus driver who helps me move around my city as a soldier of war - but I do now. They're being kicked, punched, spit on, screamed at and more - every single day on the job.

My hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is facing the imminent possiblity of a transit strike that would paralze this city of more than 2 million. Does the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) have the right to strike?... That's not my concern here; I'm honed in on the issue of respect for workers - and that's definitely on the negotiation table.

Workplace violence is a leading concern of the unions. Apparently at least one subway operator, bus driver, maintenance worker or other transit employees are assaulted by the public every single day!

Fear and loathing on buses and trains

Thousands of TTC workers a year are suffering everything from cuts and fractures to crippling fear and post-tramautic stress disorder each year. (Not to mention lower productivity with downtime and comp costs.)

And it's getting worse, with an incidence in TTC workplace assaults of almost 25% in 2006 over 2005! I refuse to understand how assault can possibly be an acceptable part of ANY job, let alone see it increase.

(And I try not to think about my fellow Torontonians - lots of them - who are doing the punching, kicking, spitting and such at those hardworking folks who move them around the city... That's a stunning and irrefutable lack of respect  - and those offenders should hang their heads in shame.)

As to what the TTC has put in place, as the employer, to keep its workers safe - that is the broiling point of discussion right now with the union, and beyond my knowledge base to speak about.

I do know that all sides - union, management, board of directors - agree to the urgent need to end these atrocities on the job.

TTC chair Adam Giambrone puts it well: "This is unacceptable. We have to take this seriously. This is about respect and safety of our operators. They didn't sign up to be soldiers."

Workplace violence lurks everywhere

Interesting in knowing more about workplace violence? There are lots of blogs and organizations dedicated to the subject.

Have you ever been subjected to, or witnessed, violence on the job? (And yes, we are including workplace rage and bullying - emotional/mental violence can leave scars, too.)

Let us know; please post a comment in the space provided below.