British government may use army to ease strikes

reino unido grã bretanha inglaterra primeiro ministro rishi sunak

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, more than a month in power, faces a series of problems (Image: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls)

oh UK Britain is seeking to bring in the armed forces to help keep public services running if key workers, including the National Health Service, go on strike, the leader of Britain’s ruling Conservative Party said on Sunday.

The UK is already facing union action in various sectors, but now the UK is grappling with strikes by thousands of nurses and ambulance staff in England and Wales, who plan to demand better pay and working conditions later this month.

The government has repeatedly asked the workers to call off the strike saying that it cannot provide a wage hike to cover inflation and even if the workers’ demands are met, such an increase would further fuel inflation.

Alex Baldock, chief executive of British electrical retailer Currys, said his company would not use Royal Mail “for the time being” to minimize any impact from the strike.

Workers at the postal service Royal Mail have held several strikes this year in a dispute over pay and working conditions, and more are planned this month.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has been in power for more than a month, faces a number of problems, including a prolonged recession ahead of an election that polls suggest will result in a defeat for the Conservatives.