Unions criticize plans to use troops to cover strikes but PM counters by calling them Greenwichs who ‘want to steal Christmas’ | UK News

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Union leaders criticized plans to deploy 1,200 soldiers to cover the strikes, but the Prime Minister responded by calling them “Greenwichs” who “want to steal Christmas”.

Union leaders claim that the military is not “sufficiently trained” to guard the country’s borders or drive ambulances, and that they should not be put in such an “evil” position when they already have “enough”.

But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said unions were “causing misery to millions” in what he said were strikes “ruthlessly timed” for Christmas, particularly industrial strikes by railway workers.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday, he said railway workers and border officers had been offered “fair and affordable deals” – but made no mention of ambulance drivers or nurses.

He claimed that “a growing number of union members want an agreement”, adding that they are “tired of being soldiers in (RMT union boss) Mick Lynch’s class war”.

“Even the Labor Party has admitted that the unions’ demands are intolerable,” Sunak added.

“But they will still take union money and undermine the interests of the traveling public.

The Labor Party supports the Grinches who want to steal Christmas for their political ends.

Read more: Payment deal ‘achievable’ between train companies and rail unions, RMT chief says Police officers have expressed ‘extreme concern’ about driving ambulances

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that people get the Christmas they deserve.

“The army is stepping up and we are taking other measures to keep the services running wherever possible.”

The reliance on the military has drawn criticism in some quarters

Sarah Gorton, Unison’s chief health officer, warned that the military was “no substitute” for qualified ambulance staff, while GMB’s Nathan Holman said bringing in “untrained” personnel would be a “handicap” rather than a help.

Without specialized training in speeding and running red lights, Holman said, the Army would only be able to respond to “less pressing calls.”

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The Chief of the Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, warned it was “dangerous” to expect military personnel to be used routinely to cover strikes.

He told the Sunday Telegraph that the armed forces were busy and needed to “focus on our core role”.

The UK is facing a wave of strikes this winter, with at least one strike per day before Christmas, as employees from across industries seek better pay.

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 “not within reach”.

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Meanwhile, nurses are threatening to launch a new wave of strikes in the new year on a larger scale if ministers fail to respond within 48 hours after next week’s exit.

The 48-hour countdown will begin after the Royal College of Nursing begins its second day of strikes on Tuesday.

Union leader Pat Cullen called for the dispute to be “over” by Christmas.

“Ministers can allay the fears of nurses who anticipate starting the year with such uncertainty,” she said.

“We are not looking for a miracle, but rather in their talent to solve it.”

Despite the widespread disruption caused by the nurses’ first strike on Thursday, polls show a majority of the public supports the measure.

About a quarter of the hospitals and community teams in England, all trusts in Northern Ireland and all but one health board in Wales took part in them.

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