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.
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.”
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.
