Nursing professionals from UK They went on strike again, this Monday, for a wage hike, a stoppage affecting many hospital services, but was curtailed by a court order. The main union of the category, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), led the new strike, which began on Monday, after its members rejected the government’s latest proposals: a 5% increase and an exceptional single payment of at least 1,250 pounds (7,861 reais at the current exchange rate).
Since December, the union has been driving a social movement unprecedented since its creation a century ago. For the first time, this 28-hour shutdown includes intensive care and oncology services, although exceptions are expected in hospitals where a shortage of nurses could put patients’ health at risk, the organization said.
Originally, the strike was scheduled to continue on Tuesday, but it was interrupted by the judiciary, after an appeal by the health ministry. “The best offer on the table,” said Pat Cullen, general secretary of the RCN, and Sky News reported this Monday that the new calls had been made to cover a shortage of nurses in hospitals.
He added that “nurses must be paid decent wages” and until that happens, “our nurses, unfortunately, have no choice but to continue their mobilization.” The RCN is proposing to hold a referendum on new strikes by the end of the year. In a statement to the press, Health Minister Steve Barclay described the new stop as “disappointing”. He condemned the “extra pressure” it would put on an already strained public health system (NHS).
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