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THE Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said today that it will hold an indicative ballot on industrial action over pay.
The union said its members are “exhausted and demoralised at being taken for granted by government” and that many nurses are now considering quitting their jobs.
The RCN, which is fighting for a 12.5 per cent pay rise for nurses, will hold the indicative ballot between November 4 and 30.
The result will not formally authorise industrial action but will be used to inform next steps in its fight for fair pay.
The RCN’s England director Patricia Marquis said: “Patient care has to be at the heart of the recovery of the NHS, but this can only be done with investment in those needed to deliver it.
“With inflation, the current [3 per cent] pay award leaves experienced staff with a real-terms pay cut.
“And now they face the prospect of their wages being hit further by the increase in National Insurance.
“Those in power need to understand that only by paying them fairly will they prevent an exodus of the very people they rely on to keep health and care services running.”
