Lanarkshire politicians have share their opinions on the upcoming nurses’ strike.
Last week, it was announced that nurses across the region would strike due to pay disputes.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) voted to strike, which was the first time in the union’s 106-year history.
The strike will take place across the UK and is expected to start next month.
MSPs across Lanarkshire have commented on the news.
MSP for Rutherglen Claire Haughey, said: “These past few years, in particular due to Covid, have been very tough on our NHS staff.
“The Scottish Government recognises the enormous contribution that nurses make, and so have put forward a record pay deal which, on average, will offer members of staff a seven per cent increase and, for those on the lowest of incomes, an 11 per cent increase.
“They remain committed to engaging in dialogue and negotiation with nursing trade unions, but the UK Government must now step up.
“The UK Government have presided over economic chaos and spiralling inflation, fuelling this cost of living crisis, and so they must use their financial levers, which are not available to devolved administrations, to increase funding for nurses’ pay.”
East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson, said: “I absolutely believe nurses deserve a fair pay increase for the job they are doing, and the decision for them to vote to strike will not have been easy, nor taken lightly.
“The latest offer from the Scottish Government offered an average of seven per cent pay rise, or 11 per cent for the lowest paid – by far the best deal throughout the UK. The Scottish Government is doing everything possible to maximise the pay increases, but there are clear difficulties when operating within a fixed budget.
"That is why our Health Secretary asked the UK Government for additional funds, as have the Labour-run Welsh Government.
“Soaring inflation means the health budget is worth around £650 million less than it was this time last year, a situation exasperated by Tory mismanagement of our economy. They are the ones responsible for this mess, so it is only right that they work with the devolved administrations and provide the necessary resources to avert these strikes.”]
MSP for Clydesdale Máiri McAllan said:“ Firstly, I want to pay tribute to our exceptional NHS staff across Clydesdale and Lanarkshire – who are contending with a system which is extremely stretched due to the care backlog caused by the pandemic, and are now facing what it bound to be a challenging winter period.
“Absolutely nobody wants industrial action to take place in our health service – however, it is important to note that it is not a lack of political will that is preventing the Scottish Government from offering the pay increase that is sought after, but a lack of additional funding for public services that is required from the UK government.
“We are experiencing a cost of living crisis and the anger of NHS staff is entirely understandable. Sky-rocketing inflation combined with high interest rates – a direct result of the UK Government’s chaotic mini-budget – means that we are simply unable to match the expectations of NHS staff across the country.
“It is time for the UK Chancellor to put his hand in his pocket. Increased funding for the NHS and the devolved governments is urgently required, to give our hard-working NHS staff a fair pay rise in the face of the cost of living crisis this winter, and avoid what could be catastrophic industrial action in the NHS.”
Coatbridge and Chryston MSP, Fulton MacGregor, said: “The recent news of nurses voting for industrial action is an incredibly serious UK-wide situation.
“Those who worked in the healthcare sector have dealt with unimaginable stress over the course of the pandemic and I fully support those who are fighting for fairer pay deals.
“With regard to the Scottish Government, they have put a record high pay offer on the table, £800 higher than was offered to nurses in England and Wales. Unfortunately, as Holyrood has no borrowing powers, the Scottish Government are also having to work with the constraints of a fixed devolved budget.
“Health is a devolved matter but control over finances is reserved. As we are working with the constrains of a fixed devolved budget, it is imperative that Westminster recognises this discrepancy and grants Holyrood and the other devolved authorities’ additional funds to tackle these pressures.”
MSP for Central Scotland Monica Lennon, said: “The last thing that nurses want to do is go on strike, however, it’s clear from the high number of nurses that have voted in favour of strike action that SNP ministers have failed our nursing community and patients.
“It’s insulting that NHS staff are being offered a real terms pay cut.
“Our NHS is falling deeper into crisis and the buck stops with Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon to fix it.
“It is no surprise to me that NHS Lanarkshire recorded the highest RCN ballot in favour of strike action of any health board in Scotland.
“NHS staff in Lanarkshire have been forced to work in unsafe and high-risk ‘Code Black’ conditions for too long, with 97 per cent of RCN members in Lanarkshire voting for industrial action.
“NHS workers are the backbone of our society, which has become even more clear through the pandemic- nurses need adequate wages to reflect this. The Scottish Government has failed to value health care workers properly- and must return to the negotiating table.”
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