Nurses to Strike Over May Bank Holiday in Pay Row
Nurses at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have slammed the government’s pay offer and voted to strike during the first May Bank Holiday. The 48-hour walkout kicks off at 8pm on April 30 and runs until 8pm on May 2. Emergency department nurses, ICU staff, cancer ward workers, and others will walk the picket line.
Critical Care Staff Join Strike for First Time
This is a major escalation. For the first time, vital services like intensive care are involved in strike action, raising alarm about potential disruption to lifesaving treatments over the busy bank holiday weekend.
RCN Rejects 5% Pay Rise and £1,655 Lump Sum
The government offered a 5% pay rise for 2023/24 plus a one-off lump sum of at least £1,655 to top up last year’s pay. But the RCN calls it “simply not enough.”
“The crisis in health and care can’t be fixed without serious action on recruitment, retention, and pay,” said RCN chief Pat Cullen. “Until the government improves its offer, nurses have no choice but to strike.”
Split in Nursing Ranks as Unison Accepts Deal
Unison, representing some nurses, ambulance crews, and porters, has accepted the same pay offer. But RCN members remain divided, with 54% rejecting and 46% accepting the deal. The pay dispute is sparking tension right through the NHS workforce.
Strike Hits NHS Amid Junior Doctors’ Walkout
The nurse strike follows a four-day walkout by junior doctors in England, which ends early Saturday. Together, these strikes threaten major chaos across NHS services during a key bank holiday weekend.
