Lanarkshire rail workers have joined their colleagues from across the country in a three day strike this week.
Members of the Wishaw and Motherwell branch of the RMT union have been picketing at their depot in protest at potential job losses and better pay.
Branch secretary David Hainey told Lanarkshire Live : “The main issues are 2900 job losses out of a workforce of 40,000 and a pay settlement after two years of a pay freeze.
“The morale amongst the workforce is sky high.
“When you look at the turnouts we have had on the picket lines, it has been tremendous.
“We have got a lot of public support especially when they are going past us when we are out.
“If you look at polling from companies like YouGov, a large majority of the public as to why we are striking.”
The RMT accused Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of “wrecking” negotiations by refusing to allow Network Rail to withdraw redundancy threats.
Mr Shapps called the claim “a total lie”, adding the union was solely to blame for the “massive disruption”.
The breakdown in talks between the RMT and rail companies led to recriminations between the union and the government.
The Department of Transport has said the rail industry is leading the negotiations, but a contract seen by the BBC says that train operating companies’ handling of strike action is “subject to the secretary of state’s direction”.
Dave added: “The spin from the Government are ridiculous.
“The median salary from Network Rail is between £25,000 and £30,000 which is the same as the average UK worker.
“The RMT has never walked away from the negotiating table, the UK Government is holding the purse strings and it is up to them.”
Another walkout is set to take place on Saturday.
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