A video of the fourth day of the Yorkshire Post strike records the high level of support the journalists enjoy from the city’s politicians.

Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of the Labour group of Leeds City Council, praises the journalists on the papers, saying they have done an excellent job over the years he has been connected with the council.

“One of our concerns is the breakdown in communication between us, who work in the community,  and [the journalists] who report on what we’re saying and doing,” he says. “And for me that’s the fundamental basis of democracy in our city.”

He tells the strikers: “I hope that you win your dispute and Johnston realises that you’re the backbone of this city’s life, giving people an interest in things they’d probably never even thought of.”

Colin Burgon, Labour MP for Elmet, adds: “The Yorkshire Evening Post is a community paper in the widest sense of the word and any loss or damage to that paper is bad news for local people.”

Bishop of Ripon and Leeds John Packer has also expressed his support for the journalists, media blogger Jon Slattery is reporting.

Joint FoC Peter Johnson says if the cuts go through they won’t be able to serve the community in the way we should.

“You can’t do this job without people, and it’s people before profit that we’re looking at,” he concludes.

The strike is also scheduled to run this week from Thursday 26 February to Sunday 1 March.

NUJ members will be picketing the Yorkshire Post building in Leeds from 7am to 6pm next Thursday and Friday. Friends and supporters are asked to join them at picket line rallies from 4pm to 5.30 pm on Thursday and Friday.

This is a fight for jobs, for justice, and for the maintenance of quality journalism in the regional press. Please give whatever support you can by sending messages, visiting picket lines and donating money.

- Cheques should be made payable to: ‘EP/YP joint chapel branch’ and sent to PO Box HP346, Leeds LS6 1UL

- Donations online to: Unity Trust Bank account 35017589 sort code 08-60-01

- Messages of support to: nujleedsstrikers@googlemail.com and 07549 170401

- Join the Save Leeds’ Local Newspapers facebook group

- Keep up to date with strike news on the NUJ website

- And follow updates on the dispute blog

Send letters of protest over job losses and their effect on newspapers to:

- Chris Green, managing director, Yorkshire Post Newspapers, Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 1RF

- John Fry, chief executive, Johnston Press, 53, Manor Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7EG

Posted by NUJ Left