Strikes suspended as NHS unions receive new pay offer
IndependentNov 29, 2022
The Facts
On Friday, nurses in the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union rejected the UK government's offer of a 5% pay increase plus a minimum £1,655 ($2,050) cash bonus and set out plans for further strikes over the first May bank holiday.
The decision comes in contrast to union leaders' recommendation to accept the offer and means there will be a round-the-clock 48-hour strike — without exemptions — from April 30 until May 2.
The Spin
Left narrative
RCN nurses made the right choice to reject the conservative government’s inadequate pay offer. The decision is a massive win for union members across the UK and a devastating blow for the Tories. The anti-labor forces are losing ground, and until a more reasonable offer is presented, the unrest will only continue.
Right narrative
The RCN’s decision to reject a fair offer and significant pay raise isn't only reckless and deeply concerning but also isn't representative of what most workers want. It's disheartening that a minority of RCN members were able to derail a deal that was widely supported by most union members.