NHS nurses across Cumbria have received ballots from the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) to asses whether they want to take industrial action in the coming months.

This is the first time in its 106-year history that the RCN has balloted members across the UK on strike action and it is urging them to vote in favour.

The sharp rise in the cost-of-living in 2022 has driven some of the largest industrial disputes seen since the turn of the century with rail workers, postal workers and college staff all walking out over the last month.

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In a letter sent all to all those set to receive ballots RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen said:

“This is a once in a generation chance to improve your pay and combat the staff shortages that put patients at risk. 

“Governments have repeatedly neglected the NHS and the value of nursing. We can change this if together we say, ‘enough is enough’.

“Record numbers are feeling no alternative but to quit and patients pay a heavy price. We are doing this for them too.

“I have spoken with hundreds of you directly in recent weeks – it’s clear we need urgent change. 

“Nursing is the best job in the world. Protect it with your vote.”

Analysis by London Economics to coincide with the ballot launch shows pay for nurses has declined at twice the rate of the private sector in the last decade and the most recent NHS pay award failed to meet the RCN’s expectation of 5 per cent above inflation.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "We value the hard work of NHS nurses and are working hard to support them. Industrial action is a matter for unions and we urge them to carefully consider the potential impacts on patients,

Cumbrian nurses are being balloted alongside staff from the North West Ambulance Service who have rejected the government’s offer of a 4 per cent pay award.

“Ambulance workers are on the frontline saving lives. They shouldn’t have to come home to worries about making ends meet,” Mike Buoey, GMB organiser, said.

“The cost of living is rising – and even more steeply due to the Conservative Government’s economic mismanagement. Our ambulance service is understaffed and over worked. Their low pay barely covers the essentials. It just isn’t good enough.”

The ballot for nurses is open until Wednesday, November 2.

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