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NHSDispute resolutionLatest NewsIndustrial action / strikesTrade unions

Nurses strikes to go ahead 15 and 20 December

by Jo Faragher 25 Nov 2022
by Jo Faragher 25 Nov 2022 The Royal College of Nursing said nurses had 'had enough of being taken for granted'
Alex Segre / Alamy Stock Photo
The Royal College of Nursing said nurses had 'had enough of being taken for granted'
Alex Segre / Alamy Stock Photo

The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed that members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will strike for two days in December.

The strikes will be the biggest in NHS history, and will take place on 15 and 20 December. Nurses will still provide emergency care, but routine services will be impacted by the strikes.

Industrial action was announced earlier this month after nurses overwhelmingly voted in favour of strikes. RCN members are campaigning for a pay rise of 5% above retail price index (RPI) inflation, which theoretically would mean a 19% pay rise based on the current RPI rate of 14.2%.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: “Ministers have chosen strike action. Nursing staff have had enough of being taken for granted, enough of low pay and unsafe staffing levels, enough of not being able to give our patients the care they deserve.”

In England and Wales, NHS staff, including nurses, have been given an increase of at least £1,400, which is worth about 4% on average for nurses. In Northern Ireland, nurses are yet to receive a pay award.

Nurses strikes

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Nurses take part in ‘biggest ever’ strike ballot over pay 

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Health secretary Steve Barclay said the 19% proposal was “not affordable” and will not open formal talks.

“Our priority is keeping patients safe. The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to minimise disruption and ensure emergency services continue to operate.”

However, Cullen said she did not recognise figures put forward by the government suggesting the rise would be 19.2%, costing £10bn a year.

She added: “If Barclay wishes to meet with me, get round the table and stop the spin and start to speak, he can avert these strikes,” she said.

“But my door is wide open night and day. I will make myself available, as will my team on behalf of our nursing staff. That option isn’t available to me at this time and consequently he has chosen strikes over speaking to me.”

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Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “Why on earth is the health secretary refusing to negotiate with nurses? Patients already can’t get treated on time, strike action is the last thing they need, yet the government is letting this happen. Patients will never forgive the Conservatives for this negligence.”

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Jo Faragher

Jo Faragher has been an employment and business journalist for 20 years. She regularly contributes to Personnel Today and writes features for a number of national business and membership magazines. Jo is also the author of 'Good Work, Great Technology', published in 2022 by Clink Street Publishing, charting the relationship between effective workplace technology and productive and happy employees. She won the Willis Towers Watson HR journalist of the year award in 2015 and has been highly commended twice.

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