The Mancunian Way: Sex work is 'last option' for women struggling with cost of living

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by BETH ABBIT - Tues June 21, 2022

Hello,

How will Keir Starmer react to the two Greater Manchester MPs who joined striking workers today? The Labour leader is said to be considering disciplinary action after ordering frontbenchers not to join RMT picket lines.

But at least three junior frontbenchers went against his instructions - including Stockport MP and Labour whip, Nav Mishra. “As a proud trade unionist, I stand with all workers on our railway network who are taking industrial action to fight for their jobs and keep passengers safe," he tweeted.

Backbenchers have also shown their solidarity with striking workers. Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey tweeted from London's Victoria Station:

“Solidarity to all on strike today. All they want is fair pay and to protect jobs and services."

Today’s rail strikes have caused problems for millions of travellers up and down the country. Boris Johnson has urged passengers to ‘stay the course', claiming proposed rail reforms are in their interest. But the RMT - whose members are striking over pay and redundancies - say the government is ‘actively preventing’ a settlement to the dispute.

Piccadilly train station was largely deserted this morning. Bar manager MJ Shannon had to take a £30 Uber from Hale to get to the station for a train home to Newcastle. ”It’s not the worst inconvenience in the world, all the major lines are still running,” she said.

But canine hydrotherapist Amber Zito was less positive after missing her train to