After nursing unions threatened to escalate strike action if ministers do not join negotiations within 48 hours of Tuesday’s walkout, the government stated that it is “resolute” on pay.
On December 20, members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are scheduled to engage in a second strike.
Oliver Dowden, a Cabinet minister, claimed ministers were “reasonable” but had a responsibility to maintain fiscal discipline.
He emphasized that the NHS pay review panel should determine the salaries of nurses.
In July, this organization proposed a $1,400 raise, with somewhat more for experienced nurses – an average increase of 4%.
The RCN is requesting a 19% salary increase, but union leader Pat Cullen has stated that this is merely a “starting point” and that members will vote on any new offer.
Mr. Dowden, urging the unions to put off the strike, stated, “We will be resolute on this, as it would be irresponsible to allow public sector pay and inflation to spiral out of control, and we owe it to the public to keep our public finances in check.”
The cabinet minister in charge of contingency planning for strikes responded to a question about the administration’s reluctance to negotiate on pay by stating that the government was “always open to discuss.”
He stated, “We are attempting to be reasonable, proportionate, and fair.”
He stated that the government was attempting to “take politics out” of the issue of pay by accepting the findings of the NHS review board.
Ms. Cullen, however, claims that ministers are using the proposals as “cover” and that her union is “seriously considering whether we continue to participate.”
She continued, “We have been duped into believing in this process for years, and if we are not being listened to, it cannot be independent.”
A few Conservative lawmakers have asked the government to reconsider its offer to nurses. The most recent to do so was former minister Caroline Nokes, who urged the administration to “reconsider the discussions.”
Some Tories, like ex-cabinet minister Robert Buckland, have argued that the pay review group should be tasked with generating new proposals.
Mr. Dowden reiterated the government’s claim that inflation-matching pay raises throughout the public sector would cost an additional £28bn, claiming that the number was “solid” despite criticism from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), which supplied a figure that was only half as high.
The Welsh government, which is responsible for the NHS in Wales and is governed by the Labour Party, has likewise accepted the recommendations of the pay review, citing the need to conserve spending.
First Minister Mark Drakeford stated on Sunday that the UK government had not allocated a sufficient budget to cover a bigger increase and that supporting a hike from the present budget would impair patient care.
Normally, the power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland would negotiate pay, but negotiations have been delayed due to a political impasse over post-Brexit rules.
The Scottish government has offered NHS employees average salary increases of 7.5% to prevent strike action. Unite and Unison, two main NHS unions representing paramedics, midwives, nurses, and support personnel, have accepted it. However, the GMB has rejected the proposal.
On Monday, a vote of RCN members in Scotland concludes. When the results will be announced is unclear.
Thursday’s RCN strike was the greatest in its history. Approximately 9,999 staff members were absent in England, and over 16,000 appointments, treatments, and surgeries were rescheduled.
A quarter of hospitals and community teams in England, all health trusts in Northern Ireland, and all but one health board in Wales participated.
Ms. Cullen stated that an escalation would necessitate an increase in the number of hospitals and a reduction in support for non-emergency services.
The RCN has stated that it will continue to staff chemotherapy, emergency cancer services, dialysis, critical care units, and neonatal and pediatric intensive care during the current strike.
Some mental health, learning disability, and autism services are exempt as well.
Forces to cover
The action by nurses will be followed on 21 December by a strike by ambulance employees, followed on 28 December by action by Unison, GMB, and Unite members. GMB union members will again go on strike on December 28.
Around 1,200 members of the military are being summoned to replace striking Border Force and ambulance personnel.
However, health unions warn that military personnel lack “adequate training.”
Sara Gorton, head of health at Unison, stated that there is “sadly increased risk” to patients during a strike, but that the staffing issue puts patients at risk every single day.
The comments of the Chief of Defense Staff are carefully calibrated.
When questioned about the strikes, he neither criticizes the government for calling in the military forces nor the strikers.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin is aware that the military must keep out of politics, and he makes it plain that the military exists to serve the nation regardless of the mission.
However, his sentiments do represent some of the dissatisfaction felt by members of the armed services when they are once again asked to do someone else’s job. It’s certainly not the first time.
They were utilized extensively during the Covid epidemic. In 2012, security was required for the London Olympics.
When asked about the strike action, the chief of the armed forces reminds the people that defending the nation is their top responsibility.
Often, being pulled away to fulfill other responsibilities can have an impact on training, but will not hinder military operations.
Admiral Radakin’s remarks are indicative of irritation rather than rage regarding the tasks assigned. He is also aware that when the military assists, the majority of people are thankful.
As the cost of living grows, rail workers, Royal Mail employees, and other industries have taken industrial action in recent weeks over pay conflicts.
The government has announced that it will release a new “resilience framework” on Monday, to enhance the United Kingdom’s readiness and response to crucial situations such as strikes.
