RCN Wales reject NHS pay offer, nursing strikes to go ahead despite acceptance from other unions

This week, at a meeting involving all health unions, RCN Wales voted to reject the pay offer for NHS staff in Wales. The offer was accepted by the majority of other unions and will therefore be implemented for all NHS staff employed on Agenda for Change contracts. The voice of RCN Wales members was made clear at the meeting by voting to reject the pay offer and remain in dispute with the government. 

RCN Wales planned days of industrial action on 6 and 7 June and 12 and 13 July will go ahead unless the Minister for Health and Social Services reopens meaningful negotiations that value the nursing profession.

Helen Whyley, Director RCN Wales said:

“RCN Wales remains in a formal dispute with the Welsh government over NHS pay after a majority of members rejected the pay offer. 

“I have written to the Minister for Health and Social Services today, seeking to urgently re-enter negotiations, and unless that happens, members of RCN Wales will be on the picket lines once again from next month.

“I respect those in our membership and in other unions who voted to accept, but this was not the view of the majority of our membership.

“The decision to take strike action is not taken lightly by us or our membership. Nursing is the largest part of the NHS workforce and they require an offer that matches their true value.

The voices of nurses need to be heard once and for all, before the profession and patient care is depleted any further.”

Ends. 

Notes to Editors

A full list of employers where industrial action is taking place on 6 and 7 June and 12 and 13 July will be available online: Strike action in 2023 | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk)

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the Welsh government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies, and voluntary organisations.

For more information, please contact the RCN Wales Communications Hub on 02920680769 or MediaWales@rcn.org.uk