Sending the military to the streets of London is provocative and unnecessary

UNISON has angrily attacked as ‘provocative and totally unnecessary’ the Government’s decision to send in the military on to the streets of London to break the strike of NHS ambulance staff in London. 

The union signed an emergency cover agreement with the management earlier this week to ensure the safety of Londoners during the four-hour strike.

UNISON’s Head of Health, Christina McAnea said:

“UNISON members agreed with London Ambulance that 999 crews would respond to emergencies from picket lines during the strike.

“Bringing in the military is provocative and will cause confusion to our planned emergency cover.

“Ambulance staff have a dispute with the Government and employers, not with the people of London. They have worked hard to put emergency cover in place.  Now staff may be hindered responding due to the presence of the military.”

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