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New nursing strikes announced as Christmas ambulance walkout is called off

Published on: 23 Dec 2022

Nurses will walk out for two consecutive days on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 January, the Royal College of Nursing has announced.

The move represents a significant escalation from the two one-day strikes which took place on 15 and 20 December.

Unison yesterday announced two full-day ambulance strikes would take place on 11 and 23 January. They will now be joined by GMB members working at ambulance trusts, who have moved their planned industrial action from 28 December to 11 January.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy also announced that it would be announcing ”a series of strikes on consecutive days in different parts of the country.”

Which trusts will be effected by the January nursing strikes

The nursing strike will affect 55 trusts, none of which took part in this month’s industrial action. Employers will be affected on both days. The North West, South East and, once again, the South West are the most affected regions 

Announcing the January strikes, RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said: “The government had the opportunity to end this dispute before Christmas but instead they have chosen to push nursing staff out into the cold again in January…

“The voice of nursing will not be ignored. Staff shortages and low pay make patient care unsafe – the sooner ministers come to the negotiating table, the sooner this can be resolved. I will not dig in, if they don’t dig in.”

Addressing the decision to cancel the 28 December strike, Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: “People across the country have been wonderful in backing us and we care so much about them, too. That’s why we are suspending the proposed GMB industrial action on the 28 December. We know the public will appreciate being able to enjoy Christmas without any additional anxiety.”