The strike vote among over 300,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing was the largest in the union's 106-year history.
Nurses across the UK are preparing to strike in the first national action on a wage dispute. The strike vote among more than 300,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) was the largest in the union's 106-year history.
Although the count is still ongoing, it is clear that RCN officials believe that enough members have voted for the winter trade union action that is expected to take place in a few weeks, possibly before Christmas. RCN Secretary General Pat Cullen said: "Our strike action will be for both patients and nurses - we count on your support to do so."
The exact nature of the strike action has yet to be determined, but patients are likely to face disruptions to operations and appointments while already facing record NHS waiting lists.
A union source told the Observer newspaper: "This will lead to the removal of most of the services and picketing across the country."
The RCN said there are vacancies for nurses and in the past year 25,000 nurses across the UK have dropped out of the Nursing and Midwifery Council register. A recent analysis showed that the salary of an experienced nurse has fallen by 20% in real terms since 2010, the union said, adding that governments across the UK are "harnessing" goodwill and experience. of the nursing staff.
The RCN is fighting for a 5% wage increase above inflation. A recent analysis showed that the salary of an experienced nurse has fallen by 20% in real terms since 2010, the union said, adding that governments across the UK are "harnessing" goodwill and experience. of the nursing staff.
The RCN is fighting for a 5% wage increase above inflation.
She added: "As we take action, politicians across the UK will be challenged to support their nursing staff and understand the strength of public support."
Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden told our organization Sophy Ridge on Sunday show that the government has contingency plans in place to deal with any nurses' strike. "We have the contingencies well oiled and the Department of Health knows how we would deal with a scenario like this if it presented itself," he said. But of course there would be an impact following such a strike.
"I would continue to urge nurses and others to resist the strike, even if they voted in favor.
"Of course, if you find yourself in a situation where there are a lot of nurses on strike, it will obviously have an impact on, for example, some surgeries and other activities."