The strike ballot of over 300,000 Royal College of Nursing members was the largest in the union’s 106-year history.
In a first-of-its-kind nationwide action over a pay dispute, nurses throughout the United Kingdom will go on strike.
More than 300,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) participated in the largest strike ballot in the union’s 106-year history.
Officials of the RCN are reportedly confident that enough members have voted for winter industrial action, which is expected to begin within a few weeks, potentially before Christmas.
Pat Cullen, general secretary of the RCN, stated: “Our strike action will benefit both patients and nurses; we have their support.”
The precise nature of the strike action is unknown, but it will undoubtedly result in disruptions to procedures and appointments for patients already facing record-breaking NHS waiting lists.
A union insider told the Observer newspaper, “This will result in the withdrawal of the majority of services and nationwide picket lines.”
According to the RCN, there are a record number of nursing vacancies, and 25,000 nurses and midwives left the Nursing and Midwifery Council register in the past year.
Recent data revealed that an experienced nurse’s income has decreased by 20% in real terms since 2010, the union said, adding that the UK government is “exploiting” the goodwill and competence of nursing personnel.
The RCN is advocating for a wage increase that is 5% above inflation.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt are already confronted with the enormous issue of plugging a £50 billion shortfall in the public finances.
Mrs. Cullen stated, “Patients are in grave danger when there are insufficient nurses.”
Large numbers of personnel, both seasoned and fresher hires, are determining they cannot see a future in an undervalued and unfairly treated nursing profession.
She continued, “As we move forward, politicians in every region of the United Kingdom will be challenged to support their nursing workers and recognize the extent of public support.”
Oliver Dowden, minister of the Cabinet Office, stated that the government has contingency preparations in place for a possible nurses’ strike.
We have well-oiled contingency plans in place, and the Department of Health is aware of how we would handle such a situation,” he said.
“We will prioritize the most important services, such as emergency services and so on. Nevertheless, a strike of this nature would inevitably have repercussions.
“I would continue to urge nurses and others to refrain from striking, even if they have voted to do so.” We have already promised to provide nurses with substantial support.
Naturally, elective surgery and other activities will be affected if a substantial number of nurses go on strike.
