The ongoing pay dispute between the British government and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has taken a dramatic turn with the union accusing the government of issuing a “blatant threat” by taking legal action against a planned 48-hour strike by nurses. The strike, set to take place from April 30 to May 2, was sanctioned by RCN members working in NHS England at workplaces with a valid strike mandate.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen slammed Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay after NHS Employers wrote to him asking to verify the legality of the strike, citing that the strike mandate expires in early May. Barclay claimed he had no choice but to take action, believing the strikes would put patient safety and the professional registration of nurses at risk.
Cullen dismissed Barclay’s claims, stating that the RCN has managed six months of industrial action without putting patients or staff at risk. She accused Barclay of making a blatant threat to nurses, saying that if they don’t stop the strike and accept the government’s pay offer, their registration may be at risk. Cullen emphasized that the RCN will never put nurses at risk or compromise their professional registration.
General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing Pat Cullen (Via Pat Cullen/Twitter)
The strike, intended to take place from 8pm or the start of the night shift on April 30 until 8pm or the start of the night shift on May 2, has been planned with NHS England and other service leaders to ensure patient safety protocols are in place. However, Cullen urged the government to calm the situation and resume negotiations.
If the court rules against the RCN, Cullen indicated that the union would work within the parameters of the law and not engage in illegal activity. She warned that if the government defeats the nurses, it would be an “even darker day” for the country. The RCN has called on the government to engage in meaningful negotiations to resolve the pay dispute and avoid further disruption to the NHS.
