The Royal College of Nursing announced on Wednesday that British nurses will strike over salary, calling it the first nationwide strike in the union’s 106-year history.
It stated that “record numbers of nursing personnel are preparing to join picket lines this winter” based on the results of our largest-ever strike ballot.
Steve Barclay, the health minister for Britain, called the decision “disappointing.”
The decision was made in the midst of a crisis in the cost of living, which the union claims have left its members scrambling to feed their families and pay their bills.
RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen said, “This is a turning point in our history, and our fight will continue through strike action and beyond for as long as it takes to secure justice for the nurse profession and our patients.”
She continued, “Anger has turned into action; our people are declaring enough is enough.”
The dates of the industrial action will be released soon, and it is anticipated to start before the year is over.
The RCN is requesting a wage increase of 5% over inflation.
In the UK, there has been a wave of recent industrial action.
Since the summer, tens of thousands of employees across Britain have participated in one strike, including those working in the ports, telecommunications, and judicial and postal systems.
25,000 employees left the Nursing and Midwifery Council register last year, according to the RCN, and there are presently record numbers of nursing vacancies.
