RCN Chair of Council Dave Dawes said:
“On 12 November, Council voted to adjourn the General Meeting currently scheduled for 27 November.
“Council believes that holding a General Meeting at this time, under the pressures of a second COVID-19 surge, would not allow for full and meaningful member participation. We have no concerns about technology or staff safety.
“We intended to communicate this to our membership when a new date for the General Meeting had been agreed. However, it is important that the debate over this weekend is accurate and members know why their representatives voted this way.
“Council recognises the concerns expressed by the 1,000 members who signed the petition for an emergency meeting and want everyone to be assured that we will reconvene.
“Right now, we recognise that nursing staff are on the frontline of a global and generational crisis. Council wants the entire organisation to be focused on the immediate needs of all members: fair pay and safe staffing.
“Further information will follow, for all members.
“As your Council, we have been elected to provide leadership, continuity, and – above all –to support the 450,000 members working in increasingly challenging situations. Stay safe.”
Ends