“Solidarity to all workers in struggle and taking action. NHS staff are fighting back! See you on the picket line!”
By Holly Turner, NHS Workers Say No
Record numbers of nursing staff and support workers in the RCN union have made history by voting to strike in what’s set to be the biggest NHS industrial action ever. History is being made as NHS staff make the difficult decision to strike because we are left with no other alternative. The RCN has achieved a mandate for strike action at 175 Trusts.
The government has ignored calls by NHS staff, unions and campaigns to address the staffing retention crisis and the consistent lack of funding. Staff are saying “enough is enough”. Union members are standing up for our patients, ourselves, and the future of the NHS by voting to strike. Meanwhile, Unison, GMB, Unite and RCM continue to ballot Ambulance & NHS Staff across England and Wales (GMB, Unite & RCM all achieved mandate to strike in Scotland).
And our fight is part of the broader fight against ‘austerity 2.0’ – please join me Thursday at 6.30pm to look at how NHS Workers Say No respond to the Autumn Statement – and how impacts our fight for fair pay.
The Tories have no intention on fighting for the NHS, for its staff, or for its patients. We say a general election is needed immediately and our unions should coordinate strike action to push the Tories out altogether – please back our fight.
NHS Workers Say No Statement:
The RCN has achieved unprecedented mandates for strike action across the UK.
Staff are standing up to the constant attacks on our pay and are sending a clear message to this government that we won’t stand for it.
Fair pay and safety should be prioritised in an essential service like the NHS. Staff have used our vote to fight for ourselves and our patients and we refuse to be demonised for this by hostile media or by this government.
Congratulations and massive respect to all who have worked hard to achieve these results. Union members that are still being balloted should take confidence in the RCN results. We now need to work towards the biggest possible co-ordinated strike action across the service, so use your vote!
Solidarity to all workers in struggle and taking action. NHS staff are fighting back! See you on the picket line!
- NHS Workers Say No ask that you show your support by sharing the above statement here.
- You can follow Holly here and NHS Workers Say No here.
- Hear Holly at Hunt & Sunak’s Austerity Autumn Statement: how do we respond? – an online event on Thursday, 17th November at 6.30pm, with John McDonnell, Jon Trickett, Andrew Fisher and Professor Ozlem Onaran. Register your place here.
- Holly will also be speaking at the December 10 Solidarity, Struggle & Socialism Conference, which will feature sessions on workers fighting back and defending our NHS. You can register and see more info here.
