More than 11,000 ambulance workers walked out on strike on Monday with the military drafted in as back -up.
As East Midlands Ambulance Service (AMAS) drafted in the army picket lines across Leicestershire demonstrated against what they consider a government imposed real – term pay cut.
Mark Dawn, branch secretary for GMB EMAS and a trained paramedic, called the use of the military a smokescreen and urged the government to start talks over pay and conditions.
Around 20 members of military personnel — including 13 Royal Marines from Plymouth and Taunton, four members of the Army from Larkhill and three RAF personnel from Peterborough and Brize Norton — are being used by EMAS during the strike.
Mr Dawn said: “We don’t endorse using the military, it is an absolute smokescreen and propaganda to make us look bad.
“It is a bit insulting the government has put more effort into this than resolving the dispute. It is very disappointing.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: this Government is tin eared.
“It’s been over a month since the Government engaged in any meaningful dialogue. They are missing in action and refuse to talk pay.
“There’s a recruitment crisis in the NHS. Solving the issue of pay is vital if we’re going to stem the tide of dedicated healthcare workers leaving the profession.
The government says most ambulance staff have received a rise of at least four per cent, increasing average basic pay per person to around £34,300.
Charnwood News 
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