Nurses strike planned for next month paused
The Royal College of Nursing in Wales says formal talks with the Welsh Government are to take place
The Royal College of Nursing in Wales has paused strike action planned for next month after securing formal talks with the Welsh Government.
Nurses were due to walk out on the 12th and 13th of July in an ongoing row over pay and working conditions.
The RCN also says ballot due to take place early next month has also been put on hold whilst talks are held.
RCN members rejected the latest pay offer from the Welsh Government and undertook strike action earlier this month.
The revised pay package was implemented by Welsh government after the majority of other health unions voted to accept the deal.
RCN Wales Director, Helen Whyley, said: “Our strike action in June has clearly been effective as the Welsh government has listened to RCN members voices about issues facing nursing in Wales and have reached out to RCN Wales for official discussions on non-pay elements of working conditions.
For this reason, we are pausing the planned strikes for July and the statutory ballot action asking members to vote on more industrial action for the rest of the year.
“Industrial action continues to be a last resort for nursing staff, and I have heard their stories of the personal sacrifice they make every day fighting for safe care for their patients that pushed them to vote for strike action.
The pressure put on the Welsh government by our members has been key to these talks commencing.”
"RCN Wales Board has agreed that next month’s ballot launch and strike action should be put on hold and that we should return to official talks on behalf our members in Wales. Welsh government has the power the end this ongoing dispute.
“We are hopeful that the discussions with Welsh government will result in significant positive outcomes for NHS nursing staff in Wales, that will improve their terms and conditions of employment in addition to the pay award that has been implemented.
“These latest discussions will be time limited and the RCN will update its members on the outcomes from these talks in due course.”