NURSING leaders have said they had “no option” but to ask members to go on strike for the first time in their union’s 100-year history.
The Royal College of Nursing Scotland is balloting its members on industrial action, with chair Julie Lamberth urging staff to support a strike.
She warned that without action, the situation nurses are facing will only get worse.
Speaking ahead of the ballot opening on Thursday, she said: “That we have got to this point is simply shocking, but we have been left with no option.
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“For years we have been overlooked and undervalued. Expected to carry on regardless.
“Patient care is suffering, staffing levels are unsafe and members are facing a daily battle of how to feed their family, heat their homes and travel to their work.
“None of this is new, and as we head into another winter we know it’s only going to get worse.
“This is our opportunity to take a stand, for our patients and our profession, to show the Scottish Government they must act now, and that is why I am urging members to vote in favour of strike action.”
Trade union Unison is already balloting more than 50,000 health workers on strike action, while the Royal College of Midwives in Scotland opened its ballot last month.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has promised NHS staff that he will make a “significantly improved” offer after the record 5% pay rise put forward by the Scottish Government was rejected.
Speaking on Wednesday, he said: “I will be doing everything in my power to prevent industrial action from taking place, which includes our next meeting with trade unions coming forward with a significantly improved pay offer for them.”
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf announces NHS winter plan including funding for 1000 staff
Director of RCN Scotland Colin Poolman insisted nursing staff must be paid “fairly” for the “critical work” they do.
He said: “Nursing staff will always put patient safety first and our members will not take the decision to vote for strike action lightly.
“They have been forced into this position by the failure of the Scottish Government to address the nursing workforce crisis and to ensure nursing staff are paid fairly for the critical work that they do.
“Ministers must come back with a significantly improved offer that responds to our members’ concerns.”
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