Our guidance sets out our recommended approach to working during industrial action (strikes) by other union members. It aims to protect your own contract of employment and make sure you don't undermine lawful action taken by other trade union members.  

Read our quick overview or download the full guidance as a PDF.

Our view on what to do during industrial action by other unions:

• Members, including agency staff and students, should attend work as normal – failure to do so will be seen as a breach of contract.
• Members can, if they wish, stop at any picket line on the way into work to show support for striking workers. Members should explain that they are not crossing the picket line as they have not been balloted as part of this specific dispute.
• Members should not undertake any work that is outside of their professional competency.
• Members should not cover the work of colleagues who are undertaking industrial action if that work falls outside their contract.
• Members should not undertake any voluntary overtime work to cover the work of those taking industrial action.
• Members should not undertake any bank or agency work to cover the work of those involved in the industrial action.
• Members should monitor the work environment in respect of health and safety and should, where necessary, immediately report to their manager, or another relevant person, any concerns they might have on the safety of staff, patients or property and the environment.
• Members should ensure that they take any breaks they are entitled to during their shift/day.
• Members can also visit picket lines during their lunch and break times and can offer support by bringing refreshments to striking workers.
• Members should report any difficulties or concerns in delivering care to their manager immediately. They should also notify their RCN representative as soon as possible.
• Members may wish, in their own time, to support the action of colleagues by attending demonstrations or signing petitions, etc.
• Members should not ask fellow workers to undertake work that they are not clinically competent to undertake.
• Members should work within the NMC Code at all times.

Some of our publications are also available in hard copy, but this may entail a small charge. For more information and to order a hard copy please call 0345 772 6100 and select option five. The line is open Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) between 10am-4pm.

You can download all electronic publications from the RCN free of charge.

Published by the Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN.

© 2016 Royal College of Nursing. This publication in hard copy format may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published, without the prior consent of the publishers.

For permission to reproduce RCN copyrighted text, please complete our copyright request form.