Nurses in North Wales set to strike this winter after union members backed industrial action

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This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Nov 9th, 2022

Nursing staff at the majority of NHS employers in Wales have voted to take strike action over pay levels and patient safety concerns, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has confirmed.

Action will take place in the NHS trusts or health boards that have met the relevant legal requirements.

Nurses employed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have voted to take industrial action.

All but one of the NHS employers in Wales voted to take strike action.

RCN Wales confirmed that the first period of industrial action can be expected in December and the RCN’s mandate to organise strikes runs until early May 2023, six months after members finished voting.

RCN Wales said, “This is the first statutory ballot on industrial action across the UK in the 106-year history of the Royal College of Nursing.”

“The results for each NHS employer are analysed individually in what is known as a ‘disaggregated’ ballot.”

RCN Wales remains in a pay dispute with Welsh Government since October 2021 over its 3% pay award for NHS Wales nursing staff.

Helen Whyley, Director, RCN Wales, said: “Today is a historic day for the nursing profession, our patients, and the future of nursing but ultimately one born of desperation. The decision to strike, has in not been taken lightly, and has passed to demand change where no other solution has been possible”.

“Our members have spoken on what is an incredibly difficult decision both professionally and personally. The result of this ballot shows just how much nursing staff put the safety of their patients above all else.

“Over the last few weeks of our campaign I have been overwhelmed by the support our members and the public have shown.

“I have visited hospitals and workplaces throughout Wales. I have heard first hand of nurses who are struggling to pay their household bills, of the extra hours they have worked for free to subsidise the NHS, the shifts they have gone without any breaks. They have told me of their constant worry and despair for the safety of their patients due to short staffing.

“There is currently no escape for staff, worry and guilt for their patients at work, worry and guilt for their families at home. This is not sustainable. Many have told me that they cannot continue in their beloved profession without change.

“The message is loud and clear. Enough is enough. It is time to take decisive action against a spiralling workforce crisis that is putting patients’ lives in danger and has no regard for nursing staff wellbeing.”

Richard Jones, RCN Wales Board Chair, said:

“I want to say a huge thank you to each and every member who not only voted in this ballot, but who championed our campaign to ensure as many members voted as possible.

“Every nurse wants to deliver the highest quality patient care in a lifelong career whilst being able to support themselves and their families.

“Our members’ decisions are paramount in everything we do, so now we will deliver. We will do everything in our power in the next steps for the fight for fair pay and safe staffing levels which nursing staff so desperately deserve.”

The Royal College of Nursing Wales, in a letter, told the Health Minister Eluned Morgan MS, that RCN Wales is ready and waiting to open discussions as soon as the Welsh Government wants to make a genuine commitment to improve the current NHS Wales pay award.

Strike action will be carried out legally and safely at all times, and the RCN will announce detailed plans and timelines for strike action soon.

NHS employers who met the threshold include: