York MP issues strike statement

We've been appealing to readers, councillors, MPs and other public figures to back our stand for decent pay. Hugh Bayley, MP for the City of York, has given us this message in a letter to the chapel:

Your newspaper plays an important part in the life and politics of York. The public rely on it for information, to enable them to hold politicians and other public figures to account. I am sorry that your dispute has reached the point of a strike, as I am sure you are, because the public will not be so well informed when so many journalists are not available for work. I hope that you and Newsquest (York) will reach a solution soon. It is definitely not in York's interests for this dispute to escalate into a long-term stoppage.