The Royal College of Nursing warns that it will not halt a 48-hour strike in England during the first May bank holiday, indicating that the nurses’ strike could continue until Christmas.
Pat Cullen stated that the government required additional funding.
She had “no plans” to coordinate strikes with junior doctors, however.
Greg Hands, chairman of the Conservative party, stated that the government’s pay proposal was “fair and reasonable.”
When asked if it was a final offer, he stated that the government had to wait to see what other health service unions involved in the pay dispute decided in their ballots, and he noted that members of Unison had already accepted it.
Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, stated that he was “really worried” about the nurses’ strike action and that he did not support it due to the risks to patient safety.
The strike will involve nurses in emergency departments, intensive care, cancer wards, and other wards, a first since the previous nurses’ strike in February included exemptions to maintain personnel in essential areas.
It was convened after RCN members rejected the government’s offer of a 5% pay increase in 2023/24 and a one-time payment of at least £1,655 by a margin of 54% to 46%.
Mr. Hands told Laura Kuenssberg that the offer amounted to an additional £5,100 for a typical NHS band 5 employees, but the government later clarified that he had misspoken and that the $5,100 figure pertained to a higher-grade band 6 employees and included a 5% pay increase, a bonus payment, and some backdated pay.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay wrote to the RCN saying band 5 nurses will receive “over £5,000” more.
RCN members rejected the government’s 5% salary increase in 2023/24 and £1,655 one-time payment 54% to 46%, prompting it. The union would “immediately ballot our members” on their next move.
“If this vote is successful, there will be continued strikes until Christmas,” she added.
Ms. Cullen rejected calls from ministers to halt strike action, disclosing that she had received a letter from Mr. Barclay. Requesting that just thirty minutes before she went on air.
Sir Julian Hartley, who represents NHS staff for NHS Providers, called it a “unprecedented level of action”.
Mr. Barclay warned in the newspaper that the strikes would result in more canceled surgeries and delayed treatment, and that “none of this is good for the NHS or patients.”
Ms. Cullen urged the health secretary and the government to join her union at the negotiating table “very quickly”. Adding, “And start putting more money on the table, start treating nurses with a bit of decency and respect.”
When asked why RCN nurses rejected the government’s pay offer despite the union’s leadership recommending it. Ms. Cullen stated that the members believed the offer was “neither fair nor reasonable.”
This comes one day after a four-day walkout by junior physicians demanding a 35% pay increase ended.
Junior doctors’ British Medical Association “not ruling out” joint strike with other unions on Saturday.
When asked if this was possible, Ms. Cullen stated that she had no coordinated action plans.
“However, if the government continues to permit doctors and nurses to spend their time on picket lines rather than in hospitals and communities, the impact of these strikes, whether coordinated or not, will be felt by our patients,” she continued.
A strike by nurses, including emergency care personnel, would pose “serious risks and challenges,” according to NHS administrators.
Sir Julian Hartley, who represents NHS staff for NHS Providers, called it a “unprecedented level of action”. And warned against a coordinated strike with junior doctors.
Liberal Democrat Daisy Cooper stated that the threat of rolling nurses’ strikes until Christmas “must serve as a wake-up call” and that minister must “immediately” find a solution.
Union members in Scotland have approved an offer worth an average of 6.5% for 2023-24. Health unions in Wales and Northern Ireland continue to negotiate compensation with their respective governments.
