Claims some RCN ballots never arrived cast doubt over further strikes
Posted 23 June 2023 - 13:40
RCN members vent their frustration on social media at papers not received or received too late to meet voting deadline today – which could have a significant effect on the result
Nurses are claiming once again that their RCN postal ballots did not arrive ahead of voting for a fresh mandate for industrial action, which closes today.
Several nurses have shared their frustration on social media after missing out on having their say on whether nurses should take to picket lines for a further six months, with ballot papers either not arriving or arriving too late.
Frustrated nurses take to Twitter
One nurse said on Twitter that he had received his ballot paper just one day before the return deadline of 23 June, making it too late for his vote to reach the RCN in time.
Mental health nurse Bronwen Williams said she requested replacement ballot papers three times but did not receive any. Others said IT errors meant they did not receive their paper.
RCN asks London members to deliver vote by hand
But for those living in London it is not too late to return your ballots. RCN London took to social media this morning, urging members to return their vote in person if they had not yet had a chance to post it.
Nursing staff reported a similar issue during the last postal ballot, with some trusts in England missing out on strike action by as little as five votes.
Will RCN meet the voting threshold needed for industrial action?
The RCN has been balloting members in England on further industrial action since 23 May, after the majority of members rejected the government’s 5% pay rise for 2023-24.
This time around the stakes are higher, with the college opting for an England-wide ballot, instead of individual trusts.
For the vote to be successful, at least 50% of eligible RCN members – or 150,000 nurses – would have to return their ballot paper by midnight tonight (23 June), with the majority voting for industrial action.
If the college fails to meet the 50% threshold it cannot stage further industrial action, regardless of whether members support strikes.
Nursing Standard understands the result of the ballot will be very close, with the final tally expected to be announced early next week.
RCN may call for online voting to improve turnout
The RCN is likely to push for online voting in the future to make it easier for trade unions to reach stringent ballot turnout requirements for industrial action. Under trade union laws, ballots for industrial action can only take place by post.
Earlier this week RCN general secretary Pat Cullen warned that strike action could ‘hit the end of the road’ as members struggled to return their ballots on time.
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