UK nurses on Wednesday voted for an unprecedented national strike in the country, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union announced, to demand salary increases in a context of record inflation.
the strike "should start before the end of the year"announced the RCN without further details, assuring that "many of the largest hospitals in England will be affected".
"The result of our largest ever strike vote shows that a record number of nursing staff is ready to join the strikes this winter"said the union as it announced its first national action in its 106-year history.
British Health Secretary Steve Barclay called the decision "disappointing".
The strike will take place in the context of a growing cost of living crisis which, according to the RCN, is making it difficult for its members to feed their families and pay the bills.
"This is a defining moment in our history, and our fight will continue with strikes and other actions for as long as it takes to achieve justice for the nursing profession and our patients."union general secretary Pat Cullen said in a statement.
"Rage has turned into action: our members say enough"he added.
The RCN demands a wage increase of 5% above inflation.
Strike dates are expected to be announced soon.
"We greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of our nurses"Prime Minister’s spokesman Rishi Sunak told reporters, assuring that the executive is in favor of a wage deal. "just" with the RNC.
He noted however that the 17% wage claim, if extended to all British public health staff, including doctors and dentists, would cost 9 billion pounds (10,000 million dollars). "In the current situation, this is simply not feasible."stressed the spokesman.
In recent months the UK has been the scene of a multiplication of strikes and protests.
Tens of thousands of workers in various sectors – from the postal service and the legal system to ports and telecommunications – went on strike across the country over the summer.