Striking rail workers: 'We'll see it through until the bitter end...'

M.E.N. TALKS TO STAFF ON PICKET LINE AT PICCADILLY STATION

- STEPHEN TOPPING

RAIL workers on the picket line outside Piccadilly Station have said they will fight 'until the bitter end' in their dispute over pay and conditions.

Around a fifth of rail services were expected to run nationwide yesterday as the latest 48-hour walkout began for members of the RMT rail workers' union, before another strike on Friday and Saturday. The long-running dispute has been ongoing for eight months.

Outside Piccadilly Station, on the corner with Ducie Street, workers gathered for the picket line. There's a bitter chill in the January air, but there's hope among the RMT members.

"I'm a huge activist," said Claudia McCann, who brought her six-year-old son Freddie to the picket. "So for me it's a no-brainer. I'll take as many pay cuts, as many days unpaid, whatever.

I'll see this through to the bitter end personally." RMT members have three demands - a 'reasonable' pay rise in the face of a cost of living crisis, job security, and 'no detrimental changes' to their terms and conditions.