Nurses Set to Strike in December After Talks Rejected
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the first phase of strike action on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December. This comes after the UK government refused their offer for formal, detailed negotiations to avoid industrial action.
Pay and Patient Safety at Heart of Dispute
The strike isn’t just about pay—patient safety is also a major concern. On strike days, nurses will continue emergency care, but routine services will be severely disrupted.
RCN Boss Slams Ministers for Rejecting Talks
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen blasted ministers for ignoring calls to negotiate. She said:
“Ministers have had more than two weeks since we confirmed that our members felt such injustice that they would strike for the first time. My offer of formal negotiations was declined and instead ministers have chosen strike action. They have the power and the means to stop this by opening serious talks that address our dispute. 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.”
More details on the strike will be announced next week. Stay tuned for updates.
