{"id":12869,"date":"2022-12-19T19:23:44","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T19:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forcespenpals.net\/gb\/?p=12869"},"modified":"2022-12-19T19:23:44","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T19:23:44","slug":"1200-troops-to-step-in-for-nhs-strikes-but-should-they","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forcespenpals.net\/gb\/news\/1200-troops-to-step-in-for-nhs-strikes-but-should-they\/","title":{"rendered":"1,200 troops to step in for NHS strikes\u2026 but should they?"},"content":{"rendered":"
British army troops are being asked to solve yet another problem that has nothing to do with them. The strike issue is just getting more heated with each passing day, with no real end in sight. For more critical services such as ambulance drivers and border workers, it seems that the armed forces will be stepping in to make sure things don’t go completely haywire.<\/p>\n
The 1,200 troops are so far only a contingency plan in case talks fall through, and given that negotiations have been ongoing for weeks, the deadlock could very well bleed into Christmas.<\/p>\n
Those who are part of the plan include over 600 drivers for ambulances and another 150 soldiers who can step in for coordination. There will also be first responders in this group to help with urgent medical care.<\/p>\n
So far, the government is holding strong against union demands, with Steve Barclay even labelling them unaffordable.<\/p>\n
Even though barely a thousand men and women are being pulled from their duties to step in, the shortfall of staff is much much higher.<\/p>\n
Chiristina McAnea, Unison general secretary, said: “Rather than scare the public about the consequences of strikes, the health secretary should table genuine plans for improving wages. The ball sits firmly in the government’s court. Ministers know what they must do to prevent disruption later this month.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, there is the question of whether it’s appropriate for the army to be pulled into the chaos.<\/p>\n
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, head of Britain’s armed forces, said the military ranks were not “spare capacity” for striking workers. He didn’t like the idea that the army would be called in every time there was a strike.<\/p>\n
He further warned that it would be “slightly perilous” to expect the British military to regularly stand in for striking public sector workers.<\/p>\n