FIFTY plus rail workers were striking outside Oxford Rail Station today (August 18) in support of the national rail strike.

Members of National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) were in attendance waving flags and banners from Oxford.

“The strike is solid in Oxford,” said Suzanne Quainton, the Oxford RMT local industrial rep who has been a Thames Trains and GWR ticket examiner for 23 years.

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She continued: “The Cotswold Line and Marylebone are shut and the overwhelming majority of RMT and TSSA members in Oxford are on strike today.

“We have had fantastic support at our picket line. We even had the ex-Chief Scientist at the Department of Transport stop by to show his support.

“The rail companies have frozen our pay and want to cut your rail services and thousands of rail workers jobs - we appeal to everyone to join us in defending our railways.”

Support was shown from Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) train drivers, Oxford & District Trades Union Congress (TUC), Oxford postal workers, as well as Chipping Norton Labour Party and local Labour and Green Party Councillors.

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Passing bus drivers constantly beeped their horns in support. Councillor Steve Akers said: “There is a huge movement across the country now of workers determined to defend their terms and conditions and to fight for above inflation pay awards.”

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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