Hull MP to join rail workers on the picket line

HULL East MP Karl Turner is set to join striking rail workers on the picket line at Paragon Station today.

The Labour MP said he wanted to show solidarity with RMT union members over their ongoing industrial action.

Today’s 24-hour strike is the second of three being planned by the union this week.

There has been controversy over the absence of some highprofile Labour MPS from picket lines on Tuesday.

However, Mr Turner said he intended standing shoulder to shoulder with striking staff at Paragon Station this morning.

Karl Turner added: “As we saw three months ago, the P&O scandal has shown exactly how ruthless companies can be. I stand in full solidarity today with rail workers as all working people should have the benefit of good terms and conditions and to fight against redundancies, which will risk safety on our railways.

“The Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hasn’t spent a single second in talks to avert strike action since March. He is trying to blame everyone but himself for this strike action going ahead.

“The Tory Government can’t wash their hands of responsibility. They owe it to the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by this dispute to get round the table for urgent talks to sort this out.”

Mr Turner accused ministers of hypocrisy, having previously praised rail staff in their role as key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: “They work sevenday weeks in a safety-critical industry, putting in unsocial hours in all weathers and conditions.

“Many regularly face being assaulted and antisocial behaviour. Those workers balloted include cleaners, catering staff, controllers, guards, engineering, revenue protection, signal workers, station staff, track workers and train maintenance staff.”