Unions criticise plans to use troops to cover strikes but PM hits back by calling them ‘Grinches’ who ‘want to steal Christmas’ | UK News
Union bosses criticized the plan to deploy 1,200 troops to support the strikes, but the prime minister responded by calling them “Grinches” who wanted to “steal Christmas”.
Union leaders claim that the military is not “adequately trained” to guard the country’s borders or drive ambulances, and that they should not be placed in such a “hateful” position when they were “qualified”.
But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said unions were “causing suffering to millions” with what he said were “untimed” strikes around Christmas, particularly industrial action by the workers. railway personnel.
Writing in The Sun on Sunday, he said railway officers and border officers had been offered “fair and affordable deals” – but he did not mention the ambulance driver or nurse.
He claimed that “more and more union members want a deal”, adding that they are “tired of being foot soldiers in the class wars of (RMT union boss) Mick Lynch “.
Mr Sunak added: “Even Labor admits the union’s demands are unacceptable.
“But they will still take union money and undermine the interests of the traveling public.
“Fight against the Grinch who want to steal Christmas for their political purposes.
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“We’re doing everything we can to make sure everyone gets the Christmas they deserve.
“The military is beefing up and we are taking other measures to keep services running where possible.”
Reliance on the military has drawn criticism from some
Sara Gorton, Unison’s chief medical officer, warned the military “cannot replace” qualified ambulance personnel, while Nathan Holman, from GMB, said bringing in “untrained” personnel would is more of a hindrance than a help.
Without specialized training in speeding and running red lights, Mr Holman said the military would only be able to respond to “least urgent calls”.
The head of the armed forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, warned that it would be “dangerous” if servicemen were regularly used to support strikes.
He told The Sunday Telegraph that the armed forces were busy and needed to “focus on our primary role”.
The UK is facing a wave of strikes this winter, with at least one walk the day before Christmasas employees from different industries seek higher wages.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said his “number one priority” was to keep patients “as safe as possible” as he reiterated the government’s position that union demands were “out of pocket”. “.
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Meanwhile, nurses are threatening to organize a new wave of strikes in the new year of an even larger scale if ministers do not respond within 48 hours of the strike next week.
The 48-hour countdown will begin after the Royal College of Nurses ends its second day of strike on Tuesday.
Union leader Pat Cullen called for an “end” of the dispute before Christmas.
“Ministers can take away the worries of nurses, who are looking forward to a new year that begins with such uncertainty,” she said.
“We’re not looking for a miracle, it’s their aptitude to solve it.”
Despite widespread disruption due to the nurses’ first strike on Thursday, the poll showed a majority of the public supported the move.
It involves around a quarter of hospitals and community groups in England, all trusts in Northern Ireland and all but one medical council in Wales.