No 10 urges public sector unions to call off ‘unnecessary’ strikes

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Downing Street has urged public sector unions heading for a series of strikes to call off their “unnecessary” industrial action and return to the negotiating table. “The public of Britain deserve better, the NHS members deserve better, we need to see something happen very fast.” However, Downing Street urged the unions to consider the impact on the public before pressing ahead with further strike action. “We want them to keep engaging with employers, to keep talking so that we can come up with a resolution and put an end to some of this unnecessary strike action.” In the Commons, Transport Minister Huw Merriman appealed the rail unions to call off their action over the Christmas period warning of the impact of fresh stoppages on businesses as well as families hoping to get together. “December for many companies is their time, it’s make or break time, if they don’t get a December in they may not see January.” However, Mr Prendergast warned that public sector workers were fed up of being “talked down to” by ministers who refused to listen to their concerns.