The nursing union has offered ministers a chance to delay strike action.
Ministers have snubbed an offer by nurses to prevent strikes over Christmas by entering meaningful pay talks.
Over the weekend, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) boss Pat Cullen offered the government a chance to prevent strike action this week by joining the negotiating table.
Speaking over the weekend, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said it “would be completely wrong” for a government minister to get involved with nurses’ pay negotiations and “would completely undermine the leadership of the NHS”.
Mr Cleverly incorrectly claimed talks were solely the responsibility of NHS employers and the independent pay review body (NHSPRB).
According to the RCN, Health Secretary Steve Barclay has already turned down her offer to negotiate five times – meaning the union is doing all it can to ensure strikes are a last resort.
A political choice.
Nurses United UK has called out Mr Cleveler’s comments, reiterating the government has the power to intervene.
Lead Organiser for the group, Anthony Johnson, explained, “The government sets the budget for our NHS. This government sets targets for NHS trusts where they are essentially fined if they get into debt because our NHS is constantly underfunded.
“If you set the budget and the rules by which the NHS operates, then you’re the one in control of whether or not a restorative pay rise can be awarded.
“The Conservative government could choose to restore nurses’ pay back to a level where we could recruit and retain staff, and they could avert strikes across our NHS. They are choosing not to do that because they do not support nurses, our patients or our NHS. They want this fight because they want to privatise our NHS – it’s that simple.”
