The impending UK Nurses’ strike has dominated internet searches for weeks on end. As unions try to get the government to grant them double digits pay rise to curtail inflation which has reached its 4-decade all-time high, the highest pay rise given by the UK government in a long time according to Reuters. 

The nurses’ strike which will start this week amid a harsh winter characterised by walk-outs the first-ever industrial action of this kind in the NHS, will see nurses walking out of their jobs on Thursday the 15th of December and on 20 December 2022. 

Here are some statistics listed by Reuters about the strike: 

• Union estimates forecast more than 1 million working days will be lost in December
• 1 million working days expected to be lost to strikes this December compares to the 12 million lost in September 1979
  

Here are a few things you probably should keep in mind about the impending Nurses’ Strike:

1. The unions are refusing the government’s pay rise offer citing the fact that many have gone for close to a decade without their wages being increased. They said the 4% increment offered by the government is too little in contrast to inflation which rose to about 11% after the onset of the pandemic. 
2. The strike has caused non-urgent surgeries to be cancelled and in some cases, ambulances are now waiting longer than before. This might cause the government to shift from its previous position and offer as pressure mounts from the public over the strike. 
3. The government has refused to move from its position and 4% pay rise and they are looking for ways to tighten laws to prevent strikes like these to disrupt healthcare, especially during winter. 

What are your thoughts about the nurses’ strike? While at it, check out our other blogs on various topics. If you need agency shifts in Birmingham call 03300300031 or send an email to info@myshifts.work