NHS nurses strike announced for 15 and 20 December
pharmafile | November 25, 2022 | News story | Medical Communications |
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced strikes on 15 and 20 December in a continuing pay dispute with the government. The RCN says it has been given no choice after ministers blocked further talks about a pay rise. Emergency care will still be provided, however.
Under trade union laws, the RCN has to ensure life-saving care is provided during the strikes, meaning some urgent care services, urgent tests and scans, and ongoing care for vulnerable patients will be protected, alongside A&E and intensive care.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said, “Ministers have chosen strike action. Nursing staff have had enough of being taken for granted, enough of low pay and unsafe staffing levels, enough of not being able to give our patients the care they deserve.”
The RCN is asking for a 19% pay rise – 5% above the RPI inflation rate, which currently stands at above 14%. Nurses at more that 40% of England’s hospitals and mental health and community services will not been entitled to strike due to a low turnout for voting. Those NHS trusts and boards which are eligible to strike, however, will not find out until next week when the official notices go out, regarding whether they will see walkout on the two dates, or dates in the new year.
England’s Health Secretary Steve Barclay has highlighted that the government met the recommendations of the independent NHS Pay Review Board when they gave an estimated 4% pay award. This was followed by a 3% pay rise last year in recognition of the work done during the pandemic.
Other major health unions, including the Royal College of Midwives, GMB, and Unite, have started balloting members.
James Spargo
