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The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced they have not achieved a new strike mandate, as their latest statutory strike ballot did not surpass the 50% legal threshold for action.
In total, just 43.4% of RCN members voted in the ballot, resulting in a total of 122,000 ballot papers getting submitted. In total, approximately 140,000 were needed for the RCN to achieve a new strike mandate.
Of those who did vote, 84% voted in favour of further strike action. The mandate would have run until 22 December 2023.
With a significant number of nurses still clearly unhappy with the government’s pay offer, RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen says the union will continue to fight for fair pay.
RCN chief executive says the union will continue to fight for fair pay
“To every one of you who took part, whether by voting or encouraging others to, thank you. We have so much to be proud of,” Ms Cullen said.
“While the vast majority of members who returned their ballot papers voted in favour of strike action, we did not meet the 50% turnout threshold necessary for us to be able to take further strike action.
“While this will be disappointing for many of you, the fight for the fair pay and safe staffing that our profession, our patients, and our NHS deserves, is far from over.
Ms Cullen says the RCN now awaits the government’s NHS workforce plan, which is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
“I am seeing the Prime Minister this afternoon to hear him out and to ask him the questions you wanted answering on his commitment to nurses and support workers.
“I know staff morale is low and the staffing crisis is set to worsen without immediate action. I will be telling him this today.
“We have started something special – the voice of nursing has never been stronger and we’re going to keep using it,” Cullen said.
Government hopes remaining unions cancel upcoming action
The Department of Health and Social Care has “welcomed” the end of the “hugely disruptive” nursing strikes. “Staff can now continue caring for patients and cutting waiting lists,” a spokesperson said.
“More than 1 million eligible NHS staff are receiving their pay rise and one-off payments this month, with an experienced nurse receiving over £5,100 in extra pay across last year and this year. We are committed to supporting nurses to continue to progress and develop, including as part of the upcoming NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
“We hope other unions who remain in dispute with the government recognise it is time to stop industrial action and move forward together,” they said.