NHS nursing staff across the region will be among 300,000 Nationwide who will begin voting from today on whether to take strike action in the first UK-wide ballot by the Royal College of Nursing.
New analysis by London Economics to coincide with the ballot launch shows pay for nurses has declined at twice the rate of the private sector in the last decade. Nurses’ real terms earnings have fallen by 6% compared to 3.2% for private sector employees.
This year’s NHS pay awards around the UK failed to match the rising cost of living or meet the RCN’s expectation of an announcement 5% above inflation.
This is the first time in its 106-year history that the RCN has balloted members across the UK on strike action and it is urging them to vote in favour. The ballot closes on 2 November.
The College is inviting members of the public to co-sign a letter to the Prime Minister from RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen which says: “On behalf of the nursing profession, I implore you to see sense. Protect nursing to protect the public.”
In a direct message today to all those set to receive ballot papers, Mrs Cullen writes:
“This is a once in a generation chance to improve your pay and combat the staff shortages that put patients at risk.
“Governments have repeatedly neglected the NHS and the value of nursing. We can change this if together we say ‘enough is enough’.
“Record numbers are feeling no alternative but to quit and patients pay a heavy price. We are doing this for them too.
“I have spoken with hundreds of you directly in recent weeks – it’s clear we need urgent change.
“Nursing is the best job in the world. Protect it with your vote.”
