Further industrial action announced as RCN reject pay deal
We previously brought you news that the government and Agenda for Change unions had reached a deal in respect of the pay dispute and that members were now voting on whether to accept the deal. However, following consultation with members, the news is not as good as many healthcare employers would have hoped. Although Unison members have voted to accept the deal, 54% of RCN members voted to reject it.
Following the vote, the RCN announced a further 48-hour strike by nurses from 8 p.m. on 30 April to 8 p.m. on 2 May. However, crucially for the first time in the current dispute, no cover will be provided for some critical care services including emergency departments, intensive care and cancer care. This has led to Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, writing to the RCN to invite them to a meeting to discuss how they can avoid the “escalatory action”. Further, the RCN are likely to re-ballot for further action which could last another six months.
Other unions including Unite, who did not recommend the pay deal to its members, and the GMB are still awaiting the results of their ballots which are due to close next week. However, Unite have announced that ambulance workers across seven trusts will also take further action with staff going out on strike on 1 and 2 May.
Although it is too early to say whether other union members will also reject the deal, further action by RCN and Unite together with potential further strikes by junior doctors and the possibility of co-ordinated action, will be a further source of worry for healthcare employers. Therefore, for the time being at least employers will need to continue to put in place contingency plans to deal with the continued action, which still shows no sign of abating.
Discover more
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Government response to the recommendations regarding the draft Mental Health Bill
Online Event - Shared Insights
Share your thoughts to help shape the development of the Statutory Duty of Candour
Legal Update
Trade Union detriment and human rights – Supreme Court delivers its decision
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Focus on maternity and neonatal safety
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroners question time
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights Data: Strategies for handling cyber attacks and data breaches
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Provider Selection Regime - how will it work in practice?
Legal Update
School leaders survey Spring 2024 - the results are in
Legal Update
OFS Consultation on freedom of speech guidance
Press Release
‘Privacy by design’ approach will help health and care organisations gain public trust in using technology as ICO publishes new guidance
Legal Update
Understanding the ICO's new fining guidance
Opinion - Maternity services
Newborns born outside of hospitals at higher risk of hypothermia during emergency responses
Guide
Demystifying international healthcare contracting
On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Preparing and delivering organisational learning evidence in the Coroner’s Court
Opinion
Can teachers personal and political views amount to misconduct?
Press Release
Browne Jacobson to advise East London Waste Authority on major waste programme
Legal Update
ICO consultation on accessing care records: A legal perspective
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights round up - Spring 2024
Legal Update
Government updates guidance on holiday rules: What employers need to know
Legal Update
Court of Protection rules on capacity and best interests in pregnancy termination case involving detained woman
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Focus on the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)
Legal Update
Holiday pay: Government change clarifies treatment of term time only workers
Legal Update
Cyber-attacks in UK universities: Why failing to prepare is no longer an option
Legal Update
Employment Healthcare Briefing - March 2024
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises Greater Manchester Combined Authority on its investment in Beryl
Legal Update
The importance of including temporary staff in NHS patient safety investigations
Opinion
School attendance matters
Legal Update
Death certification reform in England and Wales – how will healthcare providers and commissioners be affected?
Opinion
Government’s Spring Budget invests millions in maternity safety
Opinion - Maternity services
Health Service Journal reports on growing trend of “free birthing”
Legal Update - Maternity services
Introduction of baby loss certificates gives recognition to millions of bereaved families in the UK
Legal Update
Charity law update – March 2024
Legal Update
NHS England publishes updated guidance on NHS subsidiary companies
Opinion
Caregivers at work: Navigating new carer's leave regulations
On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Sexual safety in the workplace — how leaders can help to create a sexual safety culture
Opinion
EHRC publishes new guidance on menopause and the workplace
Legal Update - Health and Care Connect
Health and Care Connect: Health Check - March 2024
Legal Update
Braceurself Ltd v NHS England 2024: Court of Appeal procurement case decision
Opinion
Fire and re-hire: Updated statutory code summary for employers
