The meeting was addressed by RMT Assistant General Secretary Pat Sikorski, who congratulated the strikers on their solid support during the previous 8 days of the dispute.

Virgin Cross Country's Chris Gibb seems to be setting up an alternative work force, in spite of the training and safety issues involved in using scab labour. Gibbs' refusal to negotiate with the RMT suggests a political motive to undermine the union?s organisation on Virgin trains. The claim for Sunday working amounts to less than 70p an hour, and it would be cheaper for Virgin to settle, were it not for the Government providing taxpayers' money to subsidise employers' losses during disputes.

The RMT has been available to negotiate at any time over this important dispute to defend conditions and agreements.

RMT has asked ACAS to intervene, but Virgin have scuppered this by setting pre-conditions to the talks? which undermines the basic purpose of ACAS. This is why our members will not give in, and the dispute will go on.

Huge safety risks are being taken by Virgin X-Country- for example: running trains on the Settle/Carlisle route, with no training or route knowledge. RMT Relief Organiser John MacDonald has been monitoring these, and has asked HMRI to intervene. HMRI have merely consulted Virgin and glossed over all breaches.

The RMT group of MPs have put down an Early Day Motion condemning safety breaches and the waste of taxpayers? money in subsidising Virgin to prolong the strike. ?When it comes to a strike, the TOCs tear up the Rule Book and throw it out the window? said Pat Sikorski.

Please write to your MP asking why the Government is prepared to waste taxpayers' money on encouraging Virgin X-Country to perpetuate this dispute.

Setting up the union banner: these colours don't run

RMT Bristol Rail Branch members on a very cold picket line, Sunday 19 February before their rally with RMT members from Plymouth

Virgin Cross Country boss, Chris Gibbs thinks that these people are going to be intimidated by his strike-breaking, union-busting tactics - doesn't he realise, dealing with rude and aggressive customers is all in a day's work for us?

Passing on the flame from one generation to the next

A fine body of men and women

That's better! In the Railway Club, Plymouth No.1 and Bristol Rail RMT Branch members from the Virgin Cross Country strike, in the warm, in unity.