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Nurse strikes on hold: why some staff are still planning walkouts

Biggest nursing union has halted its industrial action to enter pay negotiations, but NHS unions outside those talks are pressing ahead with walkouts
NHS picket line of GMB members outside Harrogate District Hospital on 6 February 2023

Biggest nursing union has halted its industrial action to enter pay negotiations, but NHS unions outside those talks are pressing ahead with walkouts

NHS picket line of GMB members outside Harrogate District Hospital on 6 February 2023
Striking GMB union members picket Harrogate District Hospital on 6 February Picture: Guzelian

Nurses’ strikes in England have been put on hold after the government agreed to enter pay talks with the RCN.

But some nurses will still be taking part in strike action, which will include a walkout on 8 March, announced by Unison.

Why are some nurses still going on strike?

NHS workers in five healthcare unions are involved in strike action over pay, working conditions and patient safety concerns. Yet the Department of Health and Social Care is currently only in talks with one of them, the RCN.

This move has sparked anger and confusion, with Unison warning it could make ‘a bad situation much worse’. Unison leaders said the government’s ‘pick and mix’ approach is angering health workers, and repeated its assertion that forthcoming strikes could still be suspended if ministers would agree to talk to all the unions.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said her NHS members would be furious about their union being excluded from talks. ‘Not least because a deal for just nurses cannot possibly work, and nurses belong to other unions too,’ she said.

Meanwhile GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison accused the government of ‘playing divide and rule politics with people’s lives’.

The union Unite said the government’s recommendation of a pay rise of no more than 3.5% for 2023-24 would accelerate a spring of NHS strikes. Although Unite’s nurse members have yet to go on strike, a spokesperson said it would continue balloting members and expected nurse members to join future walkouts.

I’m not a member of the RCN, what happens to my pay if the college reaches a pay deal?

Woman holds protest banner during nurses’ rally outside Leeds General Infirmary during RCN strike
A nurse during a rally outside Leeds General Infirmary earlier in the winter of nursing strikes Picture: Guzelian

An agreement with just one union isn’t an option if the government wants to resolve all strikes and pay disputes, according to Unison. A spokesperson confirmed that whatever deal is offered to the RCN will have to be put to the other unions. In this case, members of other unions will have the opportunity to vote on the offer.

While the RCN does represent the majority of NHS nursing staff in England, it does not represent other staff groups that are also in dispute over this year’s pay offer.

However, health minister Maria Caulfield, herself a nurse, seemed to suggest on the BBC’s Politics Live show on 22 February that any deal agreed with the RCN would have to be applied NHS-wide.

‘It wouldn’t be necessarily that nurses are a special case. If you put up [pay for] nursing by 1% on Agenda for Change, that’s Agenda for Change across the board,’ she said.

Nursing Standard has asked the Department for Health and Social Care for comment.

How can I support colleagues going on strike?

Those not taking part in strike action can support colleagues in other ways if they wish, such as providing food and drinks to those on picket lines or posting about strike action on social media.

Can I cross the picket line if my union isn’t striking?

There are strict rules governing pickets to ensure they are peaceful and there will be union officials on hand to ensure strikes are run safely.

You can also support colleagues by joining them on picket lines on your break or on days off.

A Unison spokesperson said picket lines are usually ‘good-natured affairs’ and most nurses picketing will know their colleagues are going into work either because strikes from other unions have been put on hold, or they are supporting action in different ways.


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