NHS Nurses are set for a first ever UK-wide strike over pay and conditions, with results due to be announced on Wednesday after speculation that the majority will have voted to walk out.
After several weeks spent balloting 300,000 of its members, roughly two-thirds of the UK’s nurse workforce, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will let its members know the results in an email on Wednesday.
It has previously hinted that many areas have opted to strike, with the votes being carried out on a localised basis after reports that strikes could happen before Christmas.
In late October, RCN published a report that found nurses’ pay had fallen by 20% in real terms since 2010, effectively equating to one day of unpaid work per week.
Vacancies are becoming an increasing problem for the NHS, with low wages not attracting enough new nurses to fill positions and many leaving due to the pay.
In England’s NHS alone, there are currently 47,000 unfilled nursing positions.
Pat Cullen, RCN CEO said: “This exploitation of nursing staff cannot be tolerated any longer.
“In the pandemic, the politicians urged the public to clap for carers, but now they are wilfully ignoring nursing’s astonishing efforts and expertise.”
RCN has called for a pay rise of 5% above inflation, which currently sits at over 10%.
The average salary of an established nurse was £32,000 last year, according to RCN.
Nurses in England and Wales saw average pay rises of 4.75%, whilst those in Scotland were offered a flat rate increase of just above £2,200.
Nurses in Northern Ireland are yet to be offered an increase.
Strikes have become increasingly common with rises in the cost of living, with Royal Mail workers due to strike on 24, 25, 30 November and 1 December.
London Overground and Underground staff will walk out on Thursday 10 November, with national rail strikes also due on the same week, before being cancelled at the last minute.