Nurses’ strikes end in England as voter turnout drops

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Nick Triggle, Health Correspondent, June 27, 2023, 11:56 GMT

Updated 20 minutes ago

The strike of nurses at the Royal College of Nursing will not continue after a union poll of its members in England failed to fulfill the mandate.

While the majority of members voted to continue with industrial action, the numbers participating in the vote were too low to count.

Just over 43% participated—less than the 50% threshold required by trade union laws.

The RCN voted its members after the expiration of the previous six-month mandate to strike.

Its members were among a minority of health workers who rejected a government wage deal of an increase of that amount by 5% and a lump sum of at least £1,655.

Members of Unison – the NHS’s largest union – and those affiliated with bodies representing doctors and midwives also backed the deal, which has now started to push forward.

This means that only Unite in England has a mandate to strike – and that is only for local strikes among some ambulance staff and support workers.

The Royal College of Radiographers still votes for its members.

photo caption,

RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen said she was proud of its members

This fee and dispute deal is separate from that of BMA members because the doctors are on a different contract.

Junior doctors are due to take part in a five-day strike next month, while the results of the strike poll for consultants closed on Tuesday. Announcement soon.

Low spirits

RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen said she was “proud” of her members and said that while many will be disappointed with the outcome, the fight for fair wages and safe employment will continue.

She said she had been meeting ministers this week about the NHS Workforce Scheme which is due to be published soon and would continue to advocate for the profession.

“I know staff morale is low and the staffing crisis will only get worse without immediate action.

“We started something special – the voice of nursing has never been stronger and we will continue to use it.”

Members of the Nepal Red Cross have engaged in eight days of strikes since the beginning of December.

They have been involved in about half of the front line services.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Red Cross paused the strike in Wales as they entered formal wage talks with ministers there.

An offer by ministers in Scotland had been accepted by RCN members earlier in the year.

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