NHS workers to stage fresh strikes as the government has been accused of failing to hold ‘proper talks’

NHS workers will stage fresh strikes next month which includes ambulance, nurses, blood collection workers and other health staff over the ongoing bitter pay dispute.

Union has accused the government of failing to hold “proper talks” and their members will strike on 8 March.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called off their planned 48 hour strike next week as the Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he is prepared to meet for talks.

Other health unions have accused the government of “divide and rule” tactics as they are currently only agreeing to talk with the RCN.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said, “Unfortunately for patients, staff and anyone that cares about the NHS, the strikes go on.

“There can be no pick-and-mix solution. NHS workers in five unions are involved in strike action over pay, staffing and patient care.

“Choosing to speak to one union and not others won’t stop the strikes and could make a bad situation much worse.

“The entire NHS team is absolutely determined to stand firm for better patient care. They’ll be furious at the government’s failure to invite their union in for talks, not least because a deal just for nurses cannot possibly work, and nurses belong to other unions too.

“Next month staff in all but one of the ambulance services in England will walk out. They’ll be joined by thousands more NHS colleagues, many striking for the first time.

“The action by NHS Blood and Transport Staff will hit blood collection across the country too.

“By holding solo talks, the prime minister is condemning patients to many more months of disruption.

“Health workers will want assurances from ministers that they have no intention of ripping up pay agreements in the NHS. Any attempt to do so would be an incredibly serious move.

“The government now has several billion pounds more than it thought it had in its coffers. Now he has the cash, Rishi Sunak must speak to everyone involved if the dispute is to end.

“Governments elsewhere in the UK know how pay deals can be done. Rishi Sunak must copy their example, hold proper pay talks and allow everyone to get back to work.”