Nurses across the UK have voted to strike for the first time in the history of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with industrial action expected before Christmas. The walkout over pay could lead to widespread delays and cancellations of operations and appointments, adding further pressure to a health service already grappling with record waiting lists.
The RCN, which balloted more than 300,000 members, is demanding a pay rise of 5% plus inflation – about 15% in total. The government has offered a 4% increase, meaning the average basic annual pay for nurses will rise from £35,600 to around £37,000 from March 2022. Union officials say experienced nurses have seen their pay fall by 20% in real terms since 2010.
Pat Cullen, RCN general secretary, said: 'Patients are at great risk when there aren’t enough nurses. Huge numbers of staff – both experienced and newer recruits – are deciding they cannot see a future in a nursing profession that is not valued nor treated fairly.' The union argues that ministers have failed to address a workforce crisis, with 40,365 nurses quitting the NHS in the year to June 2022, equivalent to one in nine.
Under RCN strike protocols, 'life-preserving' care – including emergency interventions and critical care – will be maintained, meaning nurses in A&E and intensive care units will not take part. The ballots were conducted at local level, and strike action can be authorised at any NHS employer where turnout exceeded 50% and a majority voted yes.
Unison is also balloting 350,000 NHS staff, including porters, paramedics, and cleaners, with its ballots closing later this month. Junior doctors have voted to ballot in January. The strikes pose a major challenge to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who face a fiscal hole of up to £50bn and the highest inflation since the 1980s.
