RCN members in Wales have voted overwhelmingly to reject the Welsh government’s additional NHS pay offer for 2022/23. If the Minister doesn’t respond in five working days, the RCN Wales Board has agreed that RCN Wales will resume planning for further strike action and further dates will be announced in due course.
Helen Whyley, Director RCN Wales said: “Let’s be clear: this offer has not been accepted by RCN members. Our eligible members were balloted on the Welsh government’s additional pay offer. They understand best the direct impact it would have, and they have spoken with strength to overwhelmingly reject it. We therefore remain in dispute.
“I have today written to the Minister to urge the Welsh government to return to the table to negotiate directly with the RCN. If this does not happen within the five working days I set out in my letter, I will have no other option but to announce further dates for strike action.
“Strike action is always the last resort; our members do not want to strike, but this additional offer does not restore pay after years of being undervalued and understaffed. Nursing staff feel, once again, that they have been left with no alternative. The Welsh government must take urgent action to bring this long-standing dispute to a close.”
RCN Wales members took part in the consultation between 10 February and 27 February. All eligible RCN Wales members on Agenda for Change contracts were balloted online and were asked whether they accept or reject the offer.
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