UK nurses vote to strike over pay

The Royal Faculty of Nursing on Wednesday confirmed that it could take the primary UK-wide strike motion in its 106 yr historical past.

The RNC balloted 300,000 members for motion over pay. In July, the UK authorities introduced that greater than 1mn workers — together with nurses — would obtain a pay rise of no less than £1,400 this yr backdated to April 2022. However the union has urged the federal government to introduce a pay rise of 5 per cent above inflation.

“We’re all vastly grateful for the arduous work and dedication of NHS workers, together with nurses, and deeply remorse that some union members have voted for industrial motion,” mentioned well being secretary Steve Barclay in response to the information.

He added: “Our precedence is retaining sufferers secure throughout any strikes. The NHS has tried and examined plans in place to minimise disruption and guarantee emergency providers proceed to function.”

Talking forward of the choice on Wednesday, prime minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson mentioned it was “deeply regrettable that some union members are contemplating this motion”. Quantity 10 mentioned the federal government was dedicated to giving nurses a “truthful” pay award however mentioned that the union calls for would value £9bn and this was “merely not deliverable”.

Contingency plans to cope with a doable strike are being led by the Cupboard Workplace, the Division of Well being and the NHS.

Earlier this week, Cupboard Workplace minister Oliver Dowden mentioned that within the occasion of a strike “well-oiled contingencies” have been in place, with important providers prioritised.