Should nurses’ leaders present united front with other unions?

TUC affiliation could boost RCN’s voice, college congress hears, but opponents say closer ties to union movement would spell end of nurses’ autonomy in disputes

Nurses declared they will refuse to ‘surrender their sovereignty’ to join the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in presenting a united front on disputes with the government.

In a heated debate, RCN members narrowly voted down a call to ask the college’s ruling council to look at joining the union umbrella body. Some members claimed this would be vital to strengthen union alliances. But RCN trade union committee chair Denise Kelly said it would compromise the college’s autonomy.

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While health unions are divided over NHS pay tactics, ‘independent RCN puts nurses first’

She said: ‘Our RCN is engaged and is leading the historic campaign to deliver fair pay for nursing and at almost every turn we have clashed with our sister unions over the tools and tactics we have needed to achieve our goals. We continually failed to reach consensus in this bitter dispute.

‘I believe in solidarity with our sister unions is important but we can express solidarity without surrendering our sovereignty, our independence and the ability to do what is best for our nursing members.’

Several members also highlighted the cost of TUC affiliation with the TUC, which would amount to more than £1 million a year.

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‘Nurses’ leaders need to work as a team with other unions’

Advocates of TUC affiliation pointed to the resources, education and training that would be available to nurses, as well as coordination of campaigns and protests over threats to the NHS, as well as support on the picket lines.

RCN Hereford branch chair Suzanne Leitch said: ‘I was previously against this because of the amount we had to pay, but if you look at the government now and what they’re trying to do – with poor Pat [Cullen, RCN general secretary] having to stand outside that court and the court denying us our rights – we need support and we need to work as a team of unions.

‘There are colleagues like porters that are getting paid wages even more disgusting than us and we need to stand together.’

• RELATED: NHS nurses’ 5% pay rise signed off despite threat of more strikes

But Jane McCready told members they should get the RCN’s house in order first. She said: ‘If we’re not happy with our reps’ training then why are we not looking at that? We don’t need to join the TUC council to do that.’

The motion to look at TUC affiliation was rejected by 268 votes to 225, with 65 abstentions.

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