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Strikes

NHS Strikes: Government Faces Wave of Industrial Action as Unions Demand Higher Pay

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Health Secretary Steve Barclay will meet with ambulance union leaders today to discuss emergency strike cover, amidst a wave of industrial action by NHS workers protesting over pay. The strikes, which have seen nurses walk out for the second time in a week, are expected to last six months if no resolution is reached, according to union leaders. The crisis talks come as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces mounting pressure from union leaders and some Tory MPs to reconsider the government's position on NHS pay.

Key Takeaways:

  • The health secretary, Steve Barclay, will hold crisis talks with ambulance union leaders to discuss emergency strike cover for 999 calls during their strike action over pay.
  • The industrial action by NHS workers, particularly nurses, poses the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with opinion polls suggesting the public is largely supportive of their strike action.
  • Some Tory MPs believe that the government should provide more money to address the issue, while others warn that the industrial action could last for months.
  • The government is refusing to reopen this year's NHS pay settlement, citing the independent review body's decision to adhere to NHS pay recommendations.
  • Union leaders, including Christina McAnea of Unison and Patricia Marquis of the Royal College of Nursing, have warned that industrial action could last well into next year if no resolution is reached.
  • The government has dismissed suggestions of a one-off payment to NHS workers, which was considered but ultimately rejected due to the potential precedent it would set.

Statistics:

  • 8 days of stoppages by Border Force immigration officials, starting on Friday, will add to the travel disruption (Source: [1])
  • 6 months, the estimated duration of the industrial action by NHS workers if no resolution is reached, according to union leaders (Source: [2])
  • 2nd time within a week, the nurses striking over pay (Source: [1])
  • NHS pay recommendations by independent review body, which the government is adhering to (Source: [1])

Sources:

[1] Byline: GEORGE PARKER, SARAH NEVILLE AND JASMINE CAMERON - CHILESHE LONDON, JENNIFER WILLIAMS MANCHESTER

[2] Times Radio

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