Historic nursing union vote points to major action across health service

U.K.

The RCN nursing union has voted for industrial action for the first time in its history and strikes over pay across the health service could spread as other unions’ ballot results are announced in the coming weeks. UNISON is recommending strike action to its 350,000 members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with the ballot due to end on 25 November. Members of the GMB union in Northern Ireland have already voted for strike action there. Meanwhile Unite plans to ballot its members in England and Wales and is already carrying out ballots of its members in the ambulance service, as is the GMB union. In Scotland, Unite members have rejected the latest pay offer and GMB members there have backed strike action in the ambulance service and largest health board. Meanwhile, members of the RCM midwives’ union in Scotland have already voted for industrial action while their counterparts in England and Wales will be able to vote in a ballot from 11 November and those in Northern Ireland will take part in an initial consultation. Other health unions voting for and/or balloting for action include the CSP physiotherapists’ union and the SoR radiographers’ union. 

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