Nurses Ready for More Strikes Over Pay Row!
RCN Boss Stands Firm on Pay Rise
Pat Cullen, head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), insists the union’s demand for a 19% pay rise is just a “starting point”. The Government calls it “unaffordable”. But Cullen says she’d consider any new offer and put it to members – with the union open to a 10% pay rise. “Nurses’ pay has actually dropped 20% in the last decade,” she told Times Radio’s Past Imperfect podcast. “Do I believe nurses deserve 19%? Absolutely.”
Calls for Govt to Meet Nurses Halfway
Cullen urged Health Secretary Steve Barclay and the Prime Minister to “get in a room” and “do the right thing”. Thousands of nurses struck on December 15 and 20, and the RCN warns more walkouts will hit NHS trusts on January 18 and 19 if talks don’t restart. Strike action could drag on for six months.
More NHS Trusts to Be Hit in New Strikes
The next strike could affect 55 NHS trusts, up from 44 previously. The union’s message is clear: no deal means more disruption.
Government’s Pay Offer Backed by NHS Review Body
A Department of Health spokesperson hit back: “We have accepted the NHS Pay Review Body recommendations in full.” They added over a million NHS staff received rises of at least £1,400 this year, on top of last year’s 3% pay increase, amid wider government support for living costs.
