Oxford City Council councillors joined striking transport staff on the picket line, as the largest rail strike in a generation got underway.

On Tuesday, the first of three days of strike action began with members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers walking out after a bitter dispute with rail bosses.

Councillors Chris Jarvis and Paula Dunne joined the staff on the picket line outside Oxford Railway Station.

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Chris Jarvis, leader of the Green Party Group on the City Council and who represents St Mary's, said: "It was fantastic to see so many people supporting the action RMT members have been taking to defend pay, jobs and conditions.

“The public know that with inflation rocketing and the cost of living crisis biting, workers need a proper pay rise and job security.

"I was proud to stand in solidarity with the striking rail workers on the picket line, and would encourage everyone to join them on pickets this Thursday and Saturday."
 

Labour councillor Paula Dunne, who represents Cowley, told BBC Oxford that if the strike is “not disruptive it is not doing its job”.

She said: “Those on the picket line today aren’t doing it because they are trying to be a nuisance to people, it is more they are trying to fight for their worker rights.

“We are in a cost of living crisis, we need to stand up to the big corporations,” the councillor added.

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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