South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has thrown his support behind striking CWU workers.

On Tuesday and Wednesday (30 and 31 August) this week, CWU members working for BT were on strike. Union members working for Royal Mail were also on strike on Wednesday (31 August). The local MSP will be joining workers on both picket lines in Dumfries on Wednesday.

Around 40,000 CWU members across BT and Openreach downed tools en-masse on Tuesday and Wednesday for the second round of strike action.

The CWU said the second strike was a direct result of management’s failure to take up the union’s offer of serious talks to end the dispute.

The union is protesting against real-term pay cuts that have left some reliant on food banks in an ever-deepening cost of living crisis.

CWU members working for Royal Mail are striking for a pay rise that fully addresses the current cost of living.

Colin Smyth said: “Not one of these workers wants to go on strike but their employers have left them with little choice.

“The cost of living crisis is real and workers should not be faced with the situation where they cannot afford to feed their families, despite working harder than ever.

“The situation is untenable and I fully support those who have been forced to strike.”