RAIL staff at Bank Quay in Warrington joined a national strike today by the RMT.

The RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Union), headed by Mick Lynch announced a set of strikes over the festive period.

Due to an ongoing dispute regarding pay, the union are set to carry out two 48-hour strikes, with running today and tomorrow, and the second occurring later this week on the Friday and Saturday.

In addition to this a walkout will be taking place from December 24 to December 27 nationwide.

Stephen Price, 69, was on the picket at Bank Quay station, a retired manufacturing worker manning the picket in solidarity with the workers of the RMT in Warrington.

He said “I think the union has reasonable demands on wages, security of employment, and I think the employers are being unreasonable.

“It’s been 10 years of austerity and some people haven’t had a pay rise in almost twelve years.”

Stephen is a member of the trades union council in Warrington, and spoke of the importance of working class solidarity in your community.

Whilst the RMT has come under intense scrutiny due to the disruption caused over the festive period, local people in Warrington appeared supportive of the strike.

As well as there being very few people appearing to cross the picket and brave the trains, a local man slowed down to beep his horn and give a thumbs up in support of Stephen.

Stephen believes, however, that an end is not in site: “Both sides have dug in, especially the government.

“I don’t believe this government will resolve it, they will leave it for the next government to sort.”