Soldiers to replace the strikers. British unions are concerned that the government will mobilize soldiers to do the work of striking paramedics and border guards over the Christmas period.
“(The military) are not sufficiently trained” to replace paramedics and border guards, denounced the representatives of several unions who believe that the soldiers are placed in an “unfair” situation by the executive, when they already have “much with which to cope”. “
The army is not a “reserve capacity” in the event of a strike
London will mobilize 1,200 members of the navy, the Royal Air Force and the British army. 600 of them will carry out paramedical roles and 150 people will provide logistical support, as a strike of exceptional proportions is expected in Britain in the transport and health sectors over the festive period. More than 1,000 officials must also be mobilized.
The Chief of the Defense Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, made it clear this Saturday in the columns of the Telegram. “We are not a reserve capacity,” she says.
“We are busy and we are doing many things on behalf of the nation, we have to focus on our main role,” he said, saying the military should not play the role of “ultimate safety net.” a social movement
The British Secretary of State for Health responds for his part that the army is destined to “serve the nation” and ensures that the health of patients remains the “number 1 priority” of the Government at the end of the year.
“Cruelly planned” strikes for Christmas
The departure of the unions upset Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “The unions cause the misery of millions of people, with transport strikes in particular, cruelly programmed to go on strike at Christmas”, he gets angry in the columns of the Sun this Sunday.
“Rail workers and border guards have been offered deals that are fair and affordable for taxpayers. (…) A growing number of union members want a deal,” said the head of the Conservative government.
Britain is facing a social movement of an unprecedented scale. The mobilized staff ask for salary increases, while the country faces inflation above 10%.
Chancellor Oliver Dowden, a member of the government, believes that the 19% pay increase demanded by nurses is “simply unaffordable” for the executive.
Up to 100,000 nurses must participate in this strike starting this Tuesday after a first mobilization a few days before, the first in the 106-year history of their union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Up to 10,000 paramedics must also be mobilized between December 21 and 28.
Source: BFM TV
