Army on ‘standby’ as UK prepares for a new wave of strikes in December

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The armed forces are said to be “on standby” to help fill various roles ahead of a new wave of strikes across, education, postal and health sectors this month.

Countless employees from various industries who feel they are underpaid and underappreciated are set to join the ongoing rail strikes, as well as the thousands of nurses expected to follow suit on the picket line throughout December, reports The Manc.

Royal Mail workers, university lecturers and sixth-form college staff have committed to walking out over pay disputes as of Wednesday 30 November, as various organised strikes persist across the country.

Given the strikes’ proximity to Christmas, roping in the British military now seems likely. Dr Emma Runswick of the British Medical Association said there is there a simple way to put an end to mass industrial action: pay people fairly.

Speaking to Sky News on Thursday morning, Cordery confirmed that while the army is waiting in the wings to help fill relevant NHS roles, “the reality is if the army or other armed forces step in it will very much be at the margins rather than going out and driving ambulances”.

It remains unclear whether army personnel will be needed to combat the impending labour shortage across other industries. Regardless, the Communication Workers Union are going ahead with a series of strikes in December.

Having formally called on Royal Mail employees to join the national demonstrations for strike action on the following days:

As for rail workers, RMT Assistant General Secretary Eddie Dempsey shared a similar sentiment, assuring that while the train drivers and the transport sector, in general, are standing firm, negotiations with Network Rail and other operators continue this week.

In addition to RMT members across 14 rail companies striking on 13-14 and 16-17 December, as well as 3-4 and 6-7 January, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) said that staff working onboard and station roles will take action against Avanti West Coast on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December.

On top of the cost of living and energy crises, Christmas 2022 looks like it is set to be a difficult one.

Meanwhile, the National Education Union (NEU) which represents 77 sixth-form colleges in England are also striking over pay, stating that in real terms, teachers have suffered a pay cut of around 20% since 2010.

Furthermore, the University and College Union (UCU) already held a 48-hour strike last week and is now set to hold another 24-hour walkout among university staff. As well as organising a large rally in London, union members across at least 150 different institutions will be joining the December strikes.

It is certainly going to be an interesting end to the year and it remains to be seen what, if any measures the government will take to curb what has been described as the greatest period of industrial action since the 1980s.

Read more: Leeds’ Dental Architect scoops prestigious ‘best UK practice of the year’ award

Feature image – University College Union

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