Somerset ∙ Tens of thousands of people took part in the third phase of the nurses’ strike and the ambulance workers’ strike that started in Britain yesterday, demanding a pay rise. The nurses’ strike will continue today. The strikes are being led by the nursing staff union the Royal College of Nursing and the ambulance staff unions GMB and Unite.
The NHS has faced an unprecedented crisis in various hospitals due to the strike that took place yesterday. The crisis arose because nurses and ambulance workers went on strike on the same day. In addition, staff from more NHS trusts took part in the strike this time. The RCN is paying £50 each to those who lose their pay after taking part in the nurses’ strike.
RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen said he believed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to repeatedly ignore the RCN union’s willingness to end the nurses’ strike. Pat Cullen warned that the nurses’ strikes will continue in force if this continues. Although the nurses’ official demand is for a 19% pay rise, there have been indications that the RCN is willing to end the strike with a minimum increase of 7%.
GMB union general secretary Gray Smith accused the government of not treating Britain’s ambulance workers as second-class citizens. Gray Smith called on the Tory government to end its indolence and wake up and implement a pay rise. Ambulance employees will go on strike on February 17, 20 and 22 and March 6 and 20.
English Summary : Strike in UK sees up to half a million workers walk off jobs
