Hundreds of thousands of NHS nurses in England and Wales are set to vote to strike over wages at a 'decisive moment' for their profession.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has rejected a wage increase proposal that said it would cut nurses' real salaries by more than £1,000 a year.
The union, which branded the offer a "national disgrace", is seeking a 16.8% rise, equivalent to retail price index inflation plus his 5%. To do.
We would like the increase to be fully funded rather than paid through cuts to other parts of the NHS.
There are about 50,000 nurse vacancies in the health service, and nurses also say staffing shortages are putting patients' lives at risk.
Voting for her approximately 465,000 RCN members will begin on his September 15th and will run for four weeks.
The union will also increase the strike fund reserve from her £35m to her £50m and provide financial support to nurses during the strike.
RCN members in Scotland and Northern Ireland are negotiating their own, but have also rejected substantial salary cuts. refusing to hear his opinion, he said he had "no choice but to consider industrial action."
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Pat Cullen said:
"Patient safety is at risk due to staff shortages, and the government's inability to listen has forced us to advocate for strike action.
"A lifetime of service should not mean a lifetime of poverty. The refusal of cabinet ministers to recognize the skills and responsibilities of a job is pushing people out of the profession.
``The next Prime Minister must turn around quickly.''
RCN Council Chair Carol Popplestone said in a message to members: increase.
"This year's salary awards will not help with the rising cost of living. They will do nothing to recruit or retain more nursing staff in the workplace." nor can it keep patients safe."
She urged members to get involved in the vote, which she said was "essential to turning the tide on low wages."
