UK nurses announce historic strike

“Nurses have had enough,” said Pat Cullen, general secretary of the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) union. According to The world, the RCN announced, this Friday 25 November, the UK nurses’ strike on 15 and 20 December. An unprecedented decision for this union that has never called to hit the pavements since its creation 106 years ago.

Minus 20% salary since 2010

The decision to strike was voted on by staff on 9 November. At issue is a constant drop in salaries, estimated at 20% since 2010. But the British government refuses for the moment to review the salaries of nurses, particularly affected by the current cost-of-living crisis. “It’s a difficult time for everyone” and the government cannot meet the RCN’s “unbearable” demands, which “represent a 19.2% pay rise,” Health Minister Stephen Barclay said.

47,000 vacant nursing positions

However, the salary issue for UK nurses goes beyond their personal concerns. We know the song, which says badly paid work, says vocational crisis. In this regard, the British are no exception. “Poor pay contributes to understaffing across the UK, which affects patient safety,” the union said. According to the Royal College of Nurses, 47,000 nursing vacancies are vacant in England and 25,000 of them left the profession last year. In addition to staff shortages, more than 7 million people are waiting for treatment in British hospitals.

Cover image: Unsplash / Luis Melendez