Can we expect to see children welcomed at Army bases on Wednesday during the teachers’ strike and will the Army be used to cover Public Sector strikes?

On Wednesday Public Sector workers including teachers will strike to protest at proposed changes to their pension schemes. Army personnel and their families will no doubt observe with a mixture of envy and interest. They may also face drastic changes to their pension but are unable to strike or even protest publically. Some may say that this makes the military an easy target for pension cuts. David Cameron, Prime Minister, has encouraged employers to allow staff ‘where safe’ to take their children to work. Can we expect to see children welcomed at the MOD and Army HQ in Andover or indeed any Forces HQ as their serving parents are forced to take children to work for the day?

In addition, UK Borders agency staff will also strike and reports over the weekend suggested that if no civilian volunteers are forthcoming then Marine units would be used to man the borders. AFF questions whether it is fair to expect Service personnel who are faced with mass redundancies, a pay freeze, allowance cuts and the same threat to their pensions to take on the role of those who are striking when they are not permitted to do so themselves.

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