Nurses are set to take part in a fresh strike after rejecting the government's pay offer.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced that its members will stage a walk out for 48 hours from April 30 at 8pm. The strike will also be staged without any derogations, meaning that nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, and cancer care will also be taking part in the industrial action.
The escalated strike comes in after a 54 per cent vote to reject an offered pay rise of 5 per cent this year plus a cash payment for last year. In England, there was a 61 per cent turnout among RCN members employed on NHS Agenda for Change contracts.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen wrote to Health Secretary Steve Barclay urging for talks with the government to be reopened. She said: "What has been offered to date is 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. Since our talks in February, we have seen the pressures on the NHS continue to increase.
“The crisis in our health and care services cannot be addressed without significant action that addresses urgent recruitment and retention issues and nursing pay to bring this dispute to a close urgently. Until there is a significantly improved offer, we are forced back to the picket line.
“Meetings alone are not sufficient to prevent strike action and I will require an improved offer as soon as possible. In February, you opened negotiations directly with me and I urge you to do the same now.
“After a historic vote to strike, our members expect a historic pay award.”
A government spokesperson said “It is hugely disappointing that the Royal College of Nursing membership has rejected the pay deal recommended by their leadership. Following constructive discussions, all parties agreed this was a fair and generous offer which is demonstrated by Unison, representing the largest share of the NHS workforce, choosing to accept it.
“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. Hundreds of thousands of Agenda for Change staff continue to vote in ballots for other unions over the next two weeks and we hope this generous offer secures their support.”
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