RCN calls on nurses and public to back its ‘biggest-ever’ rally
Posted 21 July 2017 - 10:05
The RCN will hold a rally in central London following its summer of protest to press government to scrap the public sector pay cap.
The event, planned for the afternoon of Wednesday 6 September at a location yet to be confirmed, will be the RCN’s ‘biggest-ever rally’, according to the college.
Protests continue after a recent failed attempt by the Labour Party to amend the Queen’s Speech to lift wage restrictions for nurses and other public sector workers, and to abandon cuts to emergency services.
Some senior ministers had hinted the government might consider lifting the 1% pay cap, but this did not materialise.
RCN general secretary Janet Davies said it was time to scrap the cap ‘once and for all’.
‘Following a whole summer of protests throughout the UK, this rally will be our biggest event yet,’ she said ‘We want everyone, from nursing staff to all those they care for, to come together and demand that the government gives them the pay deal they deserve.
‘We will show them they cannot ignore nursing staff for one moment longer.’
The summer of protests has included a variety of events led by frustrated nurses. Action planned for Thursday 27 July includes:
- A silent protest by nurses and their families in Canterbury City Centre.
- A picnic and protest at the Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead.
- A candlelit vigil in Southampton.
- A rally opposite Downing Street in Westminster.
RCN members can apply for funding to cover travel costs to the September rally.
Further information
- Full list of UK-wide RCN protests this summer
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