The Leader podcast: Nurses to vote on ‘once in a generation’ strike action

Nurses have told the Evening Standard they are frustrated at “being paid a pittance” despite an ever-growing workload, as the Royal College of Nursing announces a ballot for strike action.

It’s the first time such a ballot has been cast in the union’s 106-year history.

Around 300,000 members will vote on whether or not to strike, after the union claimed the NHS pay awards have failed to match the rising cost of living.

Earlier this year, the Government gave most NHS workers a £1,400 pay rise, but that was well below what unions were calling for.

Some nurses have told the Evening Standard that they were frustrated at “being paid a pittance” despite an ever-growing workload.

The Evening Standard’s Health Reporter Daniel Keane explains what has led to this ballot, and how the strike action piles more pressure on Liz Truss and the Government.

And practising Nursing Associate Maxine Wade explains why wages don’t stack up for nurses, and how badly the health service is struggling.

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