The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has escalated its pay dispute with the government, threatening more severe strikes in January unless ministers open pay talks by Thursday. The union said the next wave of strikes would involve more hospitals and nurses, with less generous support inside hospitals.
The RCN will announce a timetable for bigger disputes if ministers fail to open talks within 48 hours of Tuesday's second strike day. Nurses would restrict their duties to a shorter list of activities on strike days, with some claiming they were bullied for limiting duties on the first strike day.
Ambulance workers from GMB, Unison, and Unite will strike on Wednesday, affecting 10 of 11 trusts in England and Wales. Only life-threatening emergencies will be covered, with military drivers, St John Ambulance, taxis, and community teams handling less critical calls.
An Opinium poll for the Observer shows public support for nurses' strikes has risen to 60%, up 3 points from a fortnight ago. The NHS faces widespread disruption this week, with flu admissions rising steeply.
Pat Cullen, RCN general secretary, said: 'The government should get this wrapped up by Christmas. January’s strikes, if they are forced to go ahead, will see more hospitals and more nurses taking part than at present.'
Meetings between the Treasury and Department of Health and Social Care have taken place to discuss ending the deadlock, but Treasury sources said ministers would not move beyond the pay review body's recommendations, though one-off lump sum payments could be considered.
