TODAY (Thursday, December 15) Royal College of Nursing members employed at Weston NHS Foundation Trust are "taking strike action for fair pay".
Picket lines are expected to be in place outside Weston General Hospital until 7pm.
Great turnout and lots of public support for @rcn picket line at Weston General Hospital @WSMERCURY @itvwestcountry @BBCBristol @BBCRB @bbcpointswest @bbcsomerset pic.twitter.com/47hnhFrtdj
— Cllr. Helen Thornton (@LabourHelen) December 15, 2022
A message published on the Royal College of Nursing website says: “To rectify the years of real-terms pay cuts that are pushing people out of the nursing profession and putting patient safety at risk.
“The RCN’s pay position is clear. We expect to see a pay award that goes 5 per cent above inflation (the retail prices index).
“We reached our pay position for 2022-23 in close collaboration with our members across the UK. We carried out an analysis of economic trends and NHS pay over the past decade. We also considered the staffing pressures facing the profession.
“By taking strike action the RCN is putting pressure on the government to come to the table and enter into meaningful negotiations on pay.
“Through prolonged action we are increasing pressure over time. If your employer is not scheduled for action in December, we expect you will be taking strike action in January unless governments find a way to resolve our dispute.”
During the Royal College of Nursing strike action on Thursday 15 December, we continue to welcome family members and loved ones to visit patients at our hospitals.
— University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS FT (@uhbwNHS) December 14, 2022
Please view our visiting guidance: https://t.co/G96xOJlYlj pic.twitter.com/WF7Uh63890
Pickets will run again on Tuesday, December 20.
Staff are also striking Bristol University Hospital.
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