THE head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has urged Rishi Sunak to do the “decent thing” as thousands of nurses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland stage their second walkout in a row over pay.
Speaking on the picket line at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said the strikes can be brought to an end if the Government moves on pay.
The RCN has warned that strikes could go on for six month unless an agreement is reached.
The Government has said that the pay rise demanded by the union is unaffordable.
READ MORE: Special Report: Workers say they have no choice as strikes grip UK
Cullen told the PA news agency: “I want to say to the Prime Minister this morning, please step in now and do the decent thing on behalf of every patient and member of the public of this country.
“But please do the decent thing also for nursing staff – get round the table and start to talk to me on their behalf.
“That’s the only respectful thing to do, and let’s bring these strikes to a conclusion.”
The Scottish Government recently settled its dispute with two unions which meant strikes that were set to hit the NHS and Scottish Ambulance Service were called off.
The RCN has asked for a 5% above inflation pay rise but Health Secretary Steve Barclay has declined to discuss pay when meeting union officials.
It comes as fears grow over the impact of an ambulance strike on Wednesday, when thousands of paramedics, technicians, control room workers and other staff walk out.
Barclay said: “The RCN’s demands are unaffordable during these challenging times and would take money away from frontline services while they are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic.
“I’m open to engaging with the unions on how to make the NHS a better place to work.”
READ MORE: Hereditary peer breaks rules to make £57k from his Lords seat
He will meet unions representing striking ambulance drivers on Tuesday although discussions are unlikely to avert the action.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters on Monday that the Government had adopted a “fair and responsible approach to pay”.
He is set to face a super-committee of MPs where he will be grilled on topics ranging from health and the cost of living crisis to the state of the Union.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel