Caving in to public sector pay demands would cost £28billion, No10 warns

As soldiers train to replace striking 999 and border staff...

MEMBERS of the Armed Forces are being lined up to drive ambulances, fight fires and guard border posts ahead of crippling union strikes planned in the run up to Christmas.

With a new ‘winter of discontent’ threatened by unions across multiple sectors, including rail workers, the NHS, the Fire Brigade, the Border Force and the Post Office, Downing Street is keen to be seen to be taking action to minimise disruption for the public.

The unions are fighting for sharp pay rises for members to reflect that inflation is running at 11 per cent – but No10 pointed out that providing all public sector workers an equivalent pay award next financial year would cost the taxpayer more than £28billion. Pay growth in the private sector has averaged between four and six per cent this year.

About 2,000 military personnel, civil servants and volunteers from across government are being trained to support a range of services, including the Border Force at airports and ports, in the event of strike action.

The Government is also planning for potential deployment to roles including ambulance driving and firefighting. The measures are being co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office’s COBR unit, which works on ‘scenario planning’ for potential emergencies.

It comes as train workers were accused of timing their strike action to avoid missing days over Christmas when they could receive treble pay.

Average workers are eligible for £2,284.20 in just five days thanks to

‘About 2,000 people are being trained to step in’

long-standing perks that see rail workers able to earn up to three times their normal salary on certain shifts.

Pay documents from the National Union Of Rail, Maritime And Transport Workers show that rail workers, who earn £44,000 a year on average, earn 300 per cent of their normal salary for working during the Christmas period – and in addition receive an extra ‘comp day’ for each day worked, which they can take as leave or convert into a day’s pay.

There are two days over the Christmas period where rail workers will be able to earn this 300 per cent rate, as well as three days where they can earn 250 per cent.

But the RMT strike days – December 13-14 and 16-17, January 3-4 and 6-7 – avoid these bumper shifts.

Last night a Government source said: ‘We understand concerns about the cost of living – that’s why the Government is providing unprecedented support with energy bills this winter – but pay deals have to be fair and affordable for taxpayers.

‘People deserve to celebrate Christmas with their friends and family without enduring travel chaos.

‘The Government is doing everything it can to reduce the disruption, but the unions need to stop playing political games.’