LONDON, United Kingdom – Britain’s major nursing union stated Friday its members had rejected a authorities pay supply and instantly introduced an escalation in strike motion.
Hopes had been excessive that nurses in England would settle for the 5 p.c pay supply brokered by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the federal government in March.
But after placing the supply to its members, the RCN stated 54 p.c turned it down.
RCN members will stroll out for 48 hours from 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) on April 30, with the motion prolonged to workers in emergency departments, intensive care and most cancers care items for the primary time.
The refusal is a setback for the federal government, which had hoped for an finish to the crippling well being sector strike that has seen 1000’s of operations and appointments cancelled.
Hospital medical doctors beneath guide degree have this week been on a four-day strike demanding higher pay and situations.
Earlier on Friday, the Unison union representing healthcare staff total, stated almost 75 p.c of its members had voted to simply accept the identical supply.
RCN common secretary Pat Cullen desires pressing talks with Health Secretary Steve Barclay and stated the supply was “simply not enough”.
“The government needs to increase what has already been offered and we will be highly critical of any move to reduce it.”
She referred to as for “significant action” to urgently tackle under-staffing and low pay within the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS).
“Until there is a significantly improved offer, we are forced back to the picket line,” she added.
RCN members walked out for the primary time within the union’s 108-year historical past late final yr, becoming a member of a wave of private and non-private sector staff calling for pay rises as inflation soared.
The authorities stated the RCN rejection of the pay supply was “hugely disappointing” and stated it was “fair and generous”.
“The fact that the Royal College of Nursing has announced an escalation in strike action with no derogations, based on a vote from the minority of the nursing workforce, will be hugely concerning for patients,” a well being ministry assertion learn.
As effectively as a 5 p.c pay improve within the subsequent monetary yr, the supply included a one-off bonus price no less than £1,250 ($1,510) per particular person.
Two different unions representing healthcare staff have but to announce the outcomes of their poll on the supply.
Healthcare bosses say additional strikes would have an effect on lowering already prolonged ready lists for therapy, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to scale back. — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
