Nurses in Wales “left with no choice” as further strike dates announced
Nurses across Wales will take further industrial action in February if there is no progress in pay deal negotiations.
It comes after the Welsh government’s offer of a one-off payment was branded as falling short of what NHS workers need and deserve by unions.
A meeting between health unions and Health Minister Minister Eluned last week led to warnings of further industrial action – along with criticism that the Welsh government was “not negotiating seriously” on pay.
This evening the Royal College of Nursing in Wales (RCN) has announced further strike action will take place for 12 hours on both 6 and 7
February if progress in negotiations hasn’t been made by the of the month,
The announcement to escalate action even further comes after RCN Wales has repeatedly urged the Welsh government to find a resolution to
our dispute on, NHS pay for this financial year 2022-23, and safe staffing levels.
According to RCN the value of salaries for experienced nurses today are 20 per cent lower in real terms due to successive below-inflation pay awards since 2010 resulting in over 3000 vacancies for registered nurses in the NHS in Wales.
Director, RCN Wales, Helen Whyley, said: “I hoped that the Welsh Government would change their approach and come back to the table to negotiate with the RCN seriously on NHS pay and offer a substantive and restorative pay award. This has not happened to date.
“Their offer of a non-consolidated one-off payment, funded by monies ‘found down the back of the sofa’ shows the Welsh Government’s disrespect for the crisis in the nursing workforce and a lack of a real commitment to want to address it.
“RCN Wales members have been left without a choice, we will be taking strike action on February 6 and 7.
Nursing staff are striking for patient safety, for the future of nursing, and to save the NHS in Wales.
“We stand beside our members in their call to our government here in Wales for fair pay. Enough really is enough.”
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