Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is still refusing to budge on formal pay negotiations.
The Prime Minister and Health Secretary are still refusing to negotiate with nursing unions in England as strikes continue this week.
The walk-outs over the next two days will take place at 73 NHS trusts in England, ramping up from 44 in December and 55 in January. With members of other health unions are also striking, today (6 February) is the single biggest day of strike action in the 75-year history of the NHS.
According to the union, the value of salaries for experienced nurses today are 20% lower in real terms due to successive below-inflation pay awards since 2010.
Earlier this week the devolved government in Wales offered nurses an extra £500 extra per year plus another £500 one-off payment in the future. However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is still refusing to budge on formal pay negotiations which would put an immediate stop to strike action.
Nurses in the US earned themselves a massive 19% pay rise with just three days of strike action.
Refusing to reopen discussions.
Over the weekend, RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen wrote to the PM, “Please address this current impasse. I have made clear that opening negotiations and making meaningful offers can avert strike action.”
Ms Cullen continued: “Your government looks increasingly isolated in refusing to reopen discussions about the 2022-23 NHS pay award. As a result, the strike action for England remains – with tens of thousands of nurses losing wages to ensure you hear their voice. It must not be in vain.
“It will be the biggest day of industrial action in the 75-year history of the NHS. Nursing staff find that a sobering realisation of how far they have been pushed to protect patient care and secure some respect for the nursing profession.
“I’m urging you to reset your government in the eyes of the public and demonstrate it is on the side of the hardworking, decent taxpayer. There could be no simpler way to demonstrate this commitment than bringing the nurse strike to a swift close.”
