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Nurses’ strike: news from the second day of industrial action

Nurses return to picket lines as strike over pay and staffing continues, with RCN warning unrest could last for up to six months if government refuses to negotiate
- @alibaabra
- @_ShrutiST
- @journoandrea
Posted 20 December 2022 - 17:48
Bradford Royal Infirmary

Nurses return to picket lines as strike over pay and staffing continues, with RCN warning unrest could last for up to six months if government refuses to negotiate

Striking nurses outside Bradford Royal Infirmary
Striking nurses outside Bradford Royal Infirmary Picture: John Houlihan

Strike second day sees lively, resolute picket lines chanting for better deal amid overwhelming public support

Tens of thousands of nursing staff gathered on picket lines across England, Wales and Northern Ireland today for a second day of historic strikes by the RCN.

In noticeably warmer weather than the icy temperatures that prevailed during the first day of strikes last week, nurses held placards demanding better pay and safe staffing, along with rousing chanting of new versions of Christmas carols with the words modified to convey their message about problems in the NHS.

While the atmosphere was described as positive, and even jovial, with overwhelming public support, the message remained serious – nurses are on their knees and the NHS is in crisis.

As this second historic day of striking comes to a close, we leave our readers with a reminder that many NHS colleagues, patients, the public and even pet pooches are behind them all the way.

Here are a few of our favourite pictures from the picket lines today:

5.30pm

Retired nurse slams 'scandalous' work conditions

Retired nurses also showed solidarity for their colleagues on strike, with one saying it was ‘absolutely scandalous’ that nurses today were having to use food banks.

Group demo by Save our NHS in Kent
Group demo by Save our NHS in Kent Picture: Candy Gregory

Candy Gregory, who came back to help during COVID-19 and now works in a vaccine centre, told Nursing Standard she took part in a demonstration with a local group she is involved with – Save Our NHS in Kent – because she sympathises with this generation of nurses.

‘They are desperately undervalued and short-staffed. So many are leaving due to the huge responsibility, low pay and the need for a decent work-life balance. Patient safety is compromised and the pressure is enormous,’ she said.

Ms Gregory added that she feels for her younger colleagues ‘who work long arduous shifts with little reward’.

‘In the 1970s and 80s we could afford mortgages, cars and holidays. Now nurses are using food banks and claiming universal credit. It’s absolutely scandalous.’

5.25pm

Pat Cullen cheered in rousing speech to Leeds picket line

The atmosphere on the picket line at Leeds Teaching Hospital has been described as ‘energetic, noisy and fun’.

And that was before RCN general secretary Pat Cullen got there. Once Ms Cullen arrived in the afternoon she was met with whoops and cheers.

She gave a rousing speech to nurses, promising them the college would not give up in their fight for fairer pay and better working condition.

‘Each and every one one of you mean the world to me as your leader,’ Ms Cullen said.

‘Every conversation I’ve had [with nurses] has been about your patients and that’s where this government is really out of step. So I say to them today, put on their warm coats, come out of their cosy offices and stand among you, the wonderful profession that I’m so privileged to be part of.’

Advanced clinical practitioner working in A&E at Leeds General Infirmary Laura-Rose Finch said: ‘I feel so strongly about my junior colleagues coming through, A&E pressures are insurmountable at the moment.

‘I’ve seen people dying in corridors with my own eyes, enough is enough.

‘We need to staff the wards better, we need to staff A&E better and we need to pay people appropriately for the care they provide.

‘How much is a life worth? I think that’s what it boils down to.’

5.00pm

Here are the famous faces supporting nurses!

The general public weren’t the only ones heading to the picket lines today to show their solidarity – some famous faces popped up, too.

Comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing winner Bill Bailey hot-stepped his way to Charing Cross Hospital in London to show his support for nursing staff.

Elsewhere, writer Caitlin Moran visited striking nurses at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Judge on The Apprentice Lady Karren Brady shared her support for nurses on social media, saying it was no wonder that nurses ‘felt betrayed’ after the pandemic.

Comedian, former doctor and author of ‘This is Going to Hurt’ Adam Kay also tweeted his solidarity. His bestselling book documented his time as a junior doctor working on a maternity unit, before leaving due to pressures and a tragic incident with a patient.

And finally presenter Matthew Wright was forthright in his opinion...

4.45pm

Oxford

Teacher, chemist and anaesthetist join nurses on picket line

Nurses were out in full force for the second time in Oxford today. Anaesthetist Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini was also on the picket line in solidarity with nursing staff, as was teacher Michelle and chemist David Chivall.

‘Nurses can only take so much’, read one placard, while others asked: ‘Will there be enough staff when you need care?’

There was support from ‘just about every passing vehicle’, said Mr Chivall as he joined striking nurses during his lunch break.

And teacher Michelle promised her team would bring cake in support of those taking industrial action.

4.38pm

Loud and clear: chanting nurses set pay demand to music

The message to the government today could not be clearer – nurses want fair pay and safe staffing levels, and they want it now.

And they did not hesitate to say it loudly and repeatedly with chants galore on picket lines across the UK.

Nursing staff got creative as they made up various chants to different music, including Christmas songs.

‘Deck the halls with a proper pay rise,’ sang nurses in Northern Ireland, while others chanted ‘All we want is fair pay’ to the tune of ‘London Bridge is falling down’.

Another included ‘For fair pay we take a stand, nurses take a stand’ to the melody of ‘Kum ba yah’, and ‘Claps don’t pay the bills’ to 70s rap tune ‘Oops upside your head’ by The Gap Band.

Many nurses and supporters also made up their own chants, including ‘The nurses united, they’ll never be defeated’, ‘1, 2, 3, 4, more nurses on the floor, 5, 6, 7, 8, better pay would be great’ and ‘Our struggle, our fight, we support the nurses strike’.

But the most common one was also the simplest – ‘What do we want? Safe staffing and fair pay. When do we want it? Now’ and ‘Overworked, underpaid’.

4.07pm

Overwhelming public support for striking nurses in Cambridge

Thousands of messages of support from the public have been delivered to striking nurses in Cambridgeshire.

Campaign group Just Treatment gathered 2,000 messages of support from patients and the public and delivered them to members striking at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Dozen of nurses, along with their doggy companions, turned up outside Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for a second strike day, this time braving the drizzle rather than the snow.

RCN Eastern branch tweeted: ‘It may have been still dark, wet and cold, but members at Addenbrooke's were out early this morning for #RCNStrike Day 2, standing up for #FairPayForNursing and patient safety. If you're passing by, please honk your support. #SafeStaffingSavesLives.’

Nurses are striking over pay and better staffing, with many people raising the issue of a proposed congestion charge in the city, which will see nurses having to fork out even more money to come to work every day.

3.48pm

Impressive turnout in north west England

Picket lines in the north west of England have seen an impressive turnout today, with even tiny tots showing their support.

People spoke of being overcome with emotion as drivers honked their horns in support when passing by. Nurses’ message here was as clear as elsewhere – they need better pay to improve working conditions.

Nurses are picketing at a number of venues including Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Many held placards reading ‘Protect the NHS, protect nursing, protect the public’.

Nurses have also gathered outside the Walton Centre, a specialist centre for neurology and neurosurgery.

Nurse Claire Sutton tweeted to say the ‘admiration and absolute respect I have for these nurses is unfathomable’.

Elsewhere some of the youngest supporters on the picket lines had a message for the government: it’s time to pay nursing staff fairly.

3.19pm

‘It’s taken a lot for nurses to walk out for the second time in a week’

Finally today, reporter Alison Stacey visited a picket line at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in south Birmingham.

Nurses out in the busy Bristol Road hold placards and are buoyed by drivers in vans, cars, buses and ambulances, who honk their horns in solidarity.

Nurse Jo O’Hara, who is nearing retirement and helped organise today’s picket line, told Nursing Standard she was striking today for the future of the NHS.

‘It has taken a lot for nurses to walk out today for the second time in a week. We are losing two days’ pay to stand up for patient safety,’ she said.

‘Some people might be angry and say “How can you care about your patients when you’re on the picket lines?”, but we have to protect them.’

Nurse Jo O’Hara holds a strike placard outside her hospital in Birmingham
Jo O’Hara Picture: Alison Stacey

Ms O’Hara reflected on when she started her career as a nurse and the different circumstances facing her newly registered colleagues today.

‘I’m nearing retirement and remember a different NHS. We have students who come to us to train, finish their degrees and then leave nursing straight away. It’s a tragedy,’ she added.

‘Nurses are the biggest workforce group, and so we have the loudest voice. So we have to use it and get people to listen. For me it’s not about pay. We are on our knees, we are burnt out. We need support and so do our patients.’

Vicky Pickford and Humma Hussain hold their strike placards
Humma Hussain and Vicky Pickford Picture: Alison Stacey

2pm

Dogs on picket lines

You’ve heard of dogs at polling stations, now we’ve got dogs on picket lines.

These adorable furry friends are out supporting nurses today in exchange for plenty of pats.

And a few from last week’s strikes because we are sure they are wagging their tales in solidarity today.

1.50pm

‘Chat to Pat’ nurses in Bradford tell ministers

‘Chat to Pat’ is the message coming from nurses outside Bradford Royal Infirmary today.

Responsive workforce staff nurse Jess Smith told Nursing Standard: ‘This is not just about what’s happening now in nursing, it’s about looking towards the future of nursing in order to attract people to it as a career.’

When asked what her message for the government is, Ms Smith was clear: ‘Chat to Pat. This could stop if we could go into some serious and sensible discussions with the government.’

The RCN has repeatedly said it would pause strike action if the government would begin discussions on pay.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen is expected to visit picket lines in Bradford this afternoon.

1.15pm

‘Patients stand with us, it’s time the government did too’

Nurses Abbie and Nettie, and health visitor Lorretta, who are on the picket line in Great Yarmouth, said chronic understaffing in the health service means they cannot provide the care they want.

Nurses Abbie and Nettie, and health visitor Lorretta, holding placards on the picket line in Great Yarmouth
Abbie, Nettie and Lorretta on the picket line in Great Yarmouth Picture: Natalie Brooks

‘We stand here for our patients, service users, colleagues and profession. The NHS is chronically underfunded and we need to make a stand. We play a vital role in the community as specialist nurses,' they told Nursing Standard.

‘We love our profession and we want to uphold the standards expected but this is increasingly difficult. Staff are feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the pressures of the service and the increasing demands of our role.

‘Patients have joined us on the picket line today, they stand with us and it’s time the government did too.’

Picket line in Great Yarmouth
Nurses on the picket line in Great Yarmouth Picture: Natalie Brooks

There was lots of support in the area as members of the public honked their horns as they drove by.

12.56pm

Public and local business show their support

Nurses in Northern Ireland had a festive message for the government as they sang ‘Deck the halls with a proper pay rise’ at the Antrim Area Hospital picket line.

And a placard summed up their mood: ‘Nurses are for life, not just for COVID’.

Meanwhile, RCN Scotland board member Hilary Nelson and board chair Julie Lamberth flew to Northern Ireland to show solidarity with their nursing colleagues there. Nurses in Scotland’s NHS are not currently striking after the government there offered a better pay increase.

There was ‘great support’ from the public and local businesses at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, as well as at Belfast City Hospital, when they brought along sweet treats for nursing staff on the picket lines.

12.40pm

'Powerful atmosphere' at Birmingham hospital

More than 100 people gathered outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham this morning in what senior reporter Alison Stacey described as a ‘powerful atmosphere’

Reporting from the picket lines she said: ‘Talking to the nurses they are genuinely concerned about safe staffing and are passionate about caring for their patients.

‘Speakers are taking it turns to rally support on the megaphone, and other unions including TUC officials have turned up to offer support, along with some patients and their families. Taxis dropping off visitors on the concourse are beeping their horns in solidarity and getting cheers.’

Nurses blasted empowering pop hits and Christmas songs, such as Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' and Annie Lennox's 'Sisters are doin’ it for themselves'.

Despite the jovial atmosphere on the picket line, clinical safeguarding specialist and former renal nurse Christina Zanji said serious issues were at the heart of today’s action.

She told Nursing Standard: 'The public and patients have been very supportive. They understand the reasons we have for striking today. We need safe staffing in order to save lives.

'Last month when I was on the renal ward I had 12 patients to look after on my own, with a second year student who is meant to be learning.

‘I have a responsibility to keep my patients safe. I cannot have a break because I have to prioritise care. The nurses are really struggling. We need fair pay so we can save lives.'

Ms Zanji said she had been sickened by the government response, as it continued to refuse to talk to the RCN about pay. This morning health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said he was willing to talk to the RCN about improving working conditions in the NHS, but stood firm on pay.

'I read an article my colleague showed me in which our prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said he thought our pay was appropriate. I was sickened,’ she added.

'He should come down here, talk to us here on the picket line and see what a real shift is like. It's not fair on the patients.'

12.15pm

Passing drivers show support for London picket lines

Drivers are tooting their horns in solidarity as they drive past the picket lines in London.

Anaesthetist Tom Dolphin said he could hear cars honking from the 13th floor of the hospital where he works.

Homemade placards at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington sent strong messages to the government including ‘Be fair to those who care’ and ‘Overworked, underpaid, always forgotten’.

Other trade unions have paid a visit to the picket lines to show support for nurses.

Meanwhile, nurses at St Thomas’ Hospital chanted ‘fair pay now’ to the sound of drums in the background.

Many had also come off a night shift and went straight to picket lines, with cars, buses and ambulances showing their support.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined nurses at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children as they too held up placards with messages saying ‘Safe staffing saves lives’.

11.40am

‘For fair pay we take a stand’

While some picket lines have dogs and cake, others have singing.

Nurses in Nottingham put a new spin on strike chants, singing ‘For fair pay we take a stand, nurses take a stand’ to the dulcet tones of ‘Kum ba yah’ as they held up banners on their picket lines.

There was also ‘fantastic support’ for those on the picket line outside Highbury Hospital, in the East Midlands city, with members of the public tooting their horns and cheering in solidarity.

11.30am

On the picket line before sunrise

Nurses gathered in their droves outside Bristol Royal Infirmary before the sun was even up.

Holding placards declaring ‘Staff shortages cost lives’ their message to the government was clear: nurses need better pay to improve working conditions.

Meanwhile, a mural in Bristol depicts prime minister Rishi Sunak clapping – as so many did at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – while nurses queue at a food bank.

Mr Sunak and his government have been criticised for refusing to come to the negotiating table for pay talks, while continuing to praise the hard work of nursing staff.

10.45am

Why aren’t nurses in Scotland striking?

Nurses in Scotland are sitting out strike action for the second time today after the Scottish Government put forward a better pay offer.

It had initially offered a pay rise of 5%, but upped the offer to a ‘best and final’ 8% for nurses after they voted to strike. RCN Scotland paused strike action after negotiations with the Holyrood government resulted in a new pay offer.

RCN Scotland members have voted on whether to accept or reject the new offer, with the ballot closing yesterday. Results are expected to be announced later this week.

The college has been clear that the offer still does not meet nurses’ expectations.

10.30am

This historic strike action has become about more than pay

Nurses gathered outside Birmingham Children's Hospital were clear that today’s second day of historic strike action has become about more than pay.

Speaking on the picket line, junior infection control sister Abigail Gilbert told Nursing Standard they hoped industrial action would improve working conditions and make nursing a more attractive career.

Birmingham Children's Hospital strikers

Birmingham Children's Hospital strikers Picture: Alison Stacey

‘It’s about making a difference for future nurses too. Young nurses are coming out of university, having worked 2,300 hours of free labour and with loads of debt but little prospect of getting paid much more for years,’ she said.

Picket line at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham Picture: Alison Stacey

‘It’s about recognising our skills and being paid for them. We are a specialised hospital treating the sickest children in the Midlands.

‘We work 12 or 13 hour shifts and I come out to see my colleagues queuing outside the chapel for the food bank. It isn’t right.’

Staff nurse Kate Woodall added: ‘Day in day out staffing is a problem. Morale is at an all time low.'

Picket line at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham Picture: Alison Stacey

Ms Woodall and Ms Gilbert said the atmosphere on the picket line has been positive and, for once, it has given nurses the time to stand, share and discuss issues that they all face.

‘It’s nice to know that you’re not on your own,’ Ms Woodall added. ‘To forfeit a day’s pay is not something people do lightly, especially when most still have to pay for childcare. But it’s now of never.’

10.05am

Straight from a night shift to the picket line

Nurses in the south west of England turned out in full force once again to take a stand, with many taking to picket lines straight after working a night shift.

Those on the picket line at North Devon District Hospital directly addressed health and social care secretary Steve Barclay on Twitter, saying they did not want to strike but ‘yet again’ they did not have a choice.

9.15am

All I want for Christmas is pay talks

Nurses and dogs have joined picket lines in Wales this morning where all but one health board are facing walk outs.

A cute four-legged friend attended Morriston Hospital in Swansea sporting a coat that said, ‘Nurses are for life, not just for COVID’.

One nurse made her Christmas wish clear, all she wants is for pay talks to begin.

The Welsh Government has previously written to England’s health secretary asking for more money to support a better pay deal for nurses.

8.30am

‘No option’ but to continue strikes if government doesn’t budge

Across the country picket lines are in full swing and the energy matches that of last week.

Before the sun was up many were setting up tables piled with leaflets and placards ahead of 12 hours of picketing today.

Speaking on the picket line at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne this morning, RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said she was ‘truly sorry’ for every patient who has had their care disrupted due to the nurses’ strikes.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that nurses will have ‘no option’ but to continue industrial action into January if the government does not reconsider its stance on nurses’ pay.

She confirmed ‘unfortunately more nursing staff will be involved’ and that ‘further hospitals will be included’ in any future strikes.

Facing slightly warmer conditions than last week, nurses are once again standing side by side in solidarity, with placards reading ‘It’s time to pay nurses fairly’.

The message from nurses during the strike last Thursday was clear: this is about more than pay. Many told Nursing Standard they were working on the borderline of safe staffing, warning it was putting patient safety at risk.

Others said they felt they had no choice but to strike after the government failed to listen to their concerns.

The RCN warned that strike action could last for up to six months if the government continued to refuse to negotiate on pay.

Barclay says RCN pay demands would take money away from front-line services

Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay this morning reiterated his stance that the RCN’s pay demands are ‘unaffordable’ and would take money away from front-line services.

He indicated he would be willing to talk to the RCN about working conditions, but stood firm on pay.

‘My number one priority remains keeping patients as safe as possible and I’ve been working closely with the NHS and across government to protect safe staffing levels,' Mr Barclay said.

‘The RCN’s demands are unaffordable during these challenging times and would take money away from front-line services while they are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic. I’m open to engaging with the unions on how to make the NHS a better place to work.'

Share your experiences on the picket line

Today’s strike will last from 7am to 7pm at trusts and care boards across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. RCN members in Scotland have voted on whether the accept a revised pay offer of around 8%, with results of their ballot expected this week.

Ms Cullen again called on the government to negotiate on pay and ‘get this wrapped up by Christmas’.

Are you on the picket line today? Share your pictures on Twitter @NurseStandard or tag us on Instagram @nursing_standard

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