Union chief asks Rishi Sunak to listen or risk further nurses’ strikes

• RCN will walk out today in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Health Secretary Steve Barclay will undertake crisis discussions with ambulance worker unions on emergency strike cover.
• Tens of thousands of nurses staged their first mass walkout in a century.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will walk out today in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Health Secretary Steve Barclay will undertake crisis discussions with ambulance worker unions on emergency strike cover.

Tens of thousands of nurses staged their first mass walkout in a century on Thursday.

The industrial action will resume today after the government and the Royal College of Nursing failed to reach a deal (RCN).

Thousands of NHS appointments and operations will be canceled, with the health service offering a bank holiday-style service in several locations.

The RCN will staff chemotherapy, emergency cancer services, dialysis, critical care units, and neonatal and pediatric intensive care.

Adult A&E nurses work Christmas Day-style rotas.

The government adopted the NHS Pay Review Body’s (PRB) recommendation to grant nurses 4% below-inflation pay raises.

The RCN wants a 19% salary raise, 5% above inflation, but would accept a smaller offer.

Pat Cullen, RCN general secretary and CEO, told Rishi Sunak to “listen to others” or face further strikes next year.

“The prime minister should question why nurses are protesting a second day before Christmas,” she stated.

“They’ll lose a day’s income to be heard. Their drive comes from concerns about patient safety and the NHS’s future, not personal hardship.

“Rishi Sunak is under pressure in Westminster after Thursday’s strike; he should listen to others.”

The public increasingly backs local nurses, and the government must support them. My members never strike.

Let’s finish by Christmas. I’ll talk with him to prevent nurses and patients from suffering uncertainty in the new year.

If the administration doesn’t do the right thing, we’ll have to continue in January, which is regrettable.

Inflation was 7.5% when the RCN reported the 5% number in March.

In September, RPI was 14.2%.

Health secretary said RCN demands are “unaffordable.”

“I admire the work of our NHS employees, so it’s sad that certain union members are planning more strikes,” he said.

“My top focus is patient safety, and I’ve worked closely with the NHS and government to protect safe staffing levels.

“The NHS is open for emergency and urgent care. They should keep appointments unless the NHS contacts them.

“The RCN’s proposals are unaffordable and would drain money from frontline services still recuperating from the pandemic.

“I’m willing to work with unions to improve the NHS.”

Mr. Barclay will meet with Unite, Unison, and GMB union members this afternoon to gain reassurance that Category 2 situations, such as strokes or acute chest discomfort, will be treated during industrial action.

The health secretary won’t consider compensation increases, sources said.

On 21 and 28 December, ambulance employees will strike.

Staff from several businesses are striking this winter, with at least one walkout a day before Christmas.

Tens of thousands of employees are striking as the crisis grips the UK and living costs soar.

Mr. Sunak will be questioned about the ongoing strike turmoil when he appears before the Liaison Committee today.

Chairs of parliamentary committees will interrogate him on global challenges, the UK’s standing in the world, and economic difficulties, notably the cost of living.

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