London, Apr 27 (Prensa Latina) A UK High Court judge today banned a 48-hour strike to demand a wage increase, which was scheduled by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) for May 1 and 2.
The judge concluded that the initiative was partly legitimate, therefore, the nursing staff will end the strike next Monday, citing the end of a six-month order to carry out this kind of activity.
According to the head of the RCN, Pat Cullen, this is the darkest day, so far, in the dispute over better wages and working conditions, and calls for urgent negotiations with the Government.
According to her, the Executive won her legal battle, but this “caused the loss of nursing and the public (…) they sent the most trustworthy profession to court, for the most untrustworthy people.”
For its part, the administration of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described it as “unfortunate” that the Executive had to go to court.
The Secretary of Health, Steve Barclay, took legal action after an announcement from his National Health System (NHS) employer warning about the alleged illegality of the final day of the planned protests.
The current strategy resulted from calls earlier this month, after RCN members rejected the government’s offer of a 5.0 per cent pay increase for 2023-2024 and a single pay match last year.
The demonstration will involve nurses from the emergency department, intensive care, wards with cancer patients and other rooms within the hospital.
mgt/dgh
“Internet trailblazer. Troublemaker. Passionate alcohol lover. Beer advocate. Zombie ninja.”
