Is there anyone out there as concerned as me about the misrepresentation of the rail workers strike?

The divisiveness is appalling. We know it’s inconvenient for many people and annoying is probably an understatement if you have places to go when the train is your only means of transport, but what seems to be missing from most of what I read are real explanations of why the strike is taking place.

Do people realise that it’s not just about a pay rise? (Although after 3 years of no pay rise, that should be enough in itself.)

Do people realise how many low paid rail workers need benefit top ups each and every day? Do people realise that last week they lost at least three days pay?

Do people even know that the train drivers are not part of RMT but Aslef, who weren’t out on strike?

This year when the rail workers went for a pay rise, they were told for the third year in a row, ‘no you can’t have one’.

But this time, they were also told ‘you have to take a pay cut, you need to work more hours and weekends, you have to accept pension changes, we’re going to cut 2,500 maintenance jobs, we’re going to close down station ticket offices (just under 1,000), and cut other station jobs, signal room jobs, catering and retail jobs too’. If this is not enough reason for workers to strike and protect not just their jobs but the public’s safety and services, then I don’t know what is.

I’ve read some personal stories of rail workers and what they have to put up with, how they don’t all earn pots of money, and how there are serious concerns for safety, when 34% of maintenance staff are to be axed.

Then, what about us, the public, especially the elderly, those with disabilities, people travelling to new places on holiday? Who will they ask for advice and assistance if our stations become like ghost towns with hardly any (or sometimes no) staff to help?

There’s nothing better than a friendly, helpful face when you’re not sure if you’re on the right platform or train, trying to get the cheapest ticket available, hoping for a cup of coffee, or even concerned about the behaviour of other passengers. And, let’s not even start on how on earth everyone will book online, our elderly, vulnerable and those perhaps who don’t even have a bank account and will be scuppered if they can’t use cash.

I stand by the railway workers, am proud to join them on the picket lines, and hope some of you who are against the strikes can take a little time to dig a little deeper, and realise what so many of us stand to lose.

Giovanna Lewis

Haylands, Portland