Female drivers raped, groped & shown porn by predatory male colleagues, secret report into train union Aslef reveals
A SECRET report into sexual harassment at train drivers’ union Aslef found a predatory “boys’ club” culture in its ranks.
The findings, leaked to The Sun, come as the union inflicts 20 months of rail misery on millions of passengers.
Shockingly, a quarter of female union members reported experiencing sexual harassment at work, branch meetings or union socials.
At least four claimed they’d been raped or sexually assaulted by male colleagues in the previous five years.
Members were asked to report on personal experiences, rather than provide details only of assaults which were investigated by the police or prosecuted in court.
Dozens reported being groped or sexually touched. Others told of unwelcome sexual jokes or gestures, and colleagues displaying porn.
Just 16 per cent who claimed they had experienced harassment reported it to anyone in Aslef.
And 60 per cent did not come forward because they didn’t think anything would be done.
The findings were passed to the executive committee in October 2022 and not made public.
Union bosses have wrestled with the problem ever since.
Last night, Tory MP Greg Smith, on the Transport Select Committee, said: “This is a deeply disturbing set of revelations about Aslef which need full investigation and perpetrators brought to justice.”
On Wednesday, Aslef announced drivers at five operators have voted for six more months of strikes.
UK Hospitality has blamed the travel chaos for £4.5billion in lost sales. The 28-page Aslef report was compiled by its Assistant General Secretary Simon Weller.
The union approached 1,483 women and got 467 responses with 106 — a quarter — reporting sex harassment claims.
Besides the rape and sex assault allegations, 12 female members reported highly sexualised, unwanted touching — meaning they had their breasts, bottom or genitals groped — at work or a union event.
A further 26 said they had been subject to unwanted touching of a sexual nature, which included male colleagues placing a hand on their back or knee, or trying to kiss.
UNWELCOME PROPOSITIONS
Many more reported cases of male colleagues making unwelcome sexual jokes or comments either in person, over text or email.
They also highlighted staring, men displaying porn or sexual drawings, making obscene gestures, or unwelcome propositions.
In all, 91 per cent said the sexual harassment happened at work — the rest said it was at a branch meeting or union social.
Four respondents did not report their claims because the aggressor was in a powerful position in the union. None went to police.
The report also found many female members felt they were not given the same respect as males.
Many told of unwanted jokes or “banter”, and being spoken down to or overly scrutinised by male officials.
Most complaints stemmed from the Annual Assembly of Delegates and District Council events that were “most associated with alcohol after meetings”, it was noted.
The report revealed the findings would be presented at Aslef’s next Annual Assembly of Delegates — held in private in May 2023.
DAMNING FINDINGS
It said the survey produced “frank and challenging results” that indicated a “lack of faith or confidence” in how the union handles incidences of harassment.
Recommendations included a “concerted effort to change the culture, and communication of expected standards of behaviours”.
A copy was distributed to all district organisers and members of the Women’s Representative Committee.
The TUC referenced the report on its website. It said: “Aslef has formed a special working group on sexual harassment, looking at the issue from a members’ and staff perspective.
“The group has developed a mutual respect statement and a sexual harassment procedure.”
This month, we told how married district organiser Dicky Fisher had been racking up £3,000 a month on his Aslef credit card while enjoying a fling with a female official.
It is not suggested any of the report allegations involve Mr Fisher.
Aslef was approached for comment on the report.
SCANDAL THE PROMPT
THE bombshell sexual harassment survey was said to have been ordered by Aslef in response to a scandal at another transport union.
Manuel Cortes, 56, was dismissed as Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association boss in February last year following allegations of sexual misconduct. He had been accused of unwanted touching and demanding kisses.
An Aslef insider said: “The scandal acted as a wake-up call to other transport unions, including Aslef, which began to look in-house at its own procedures around sexual harassment.”
Cortes denied the claims but his appeal was rejected.