New YouGov polling data reveals that just shy of two-thirds of the public now support nurses taking strike action in their fight for fair pay.
Around 300,000 RCN members are set to receive their ballot papers.
A new poll has revealed that the majority of the British public support nursing staff taking strike action.
New YouGov polling data undertaken by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reveals that just shy of two-thirds of the public now support nurses taking strike action in their fight for fair pay.
The poll also shows a sharp twelve percent fall in public confidence in the safety of NHS care, with three-quarters (75%) of the public thinking there are insufficient nursing staff to provide safe care.
Around 300,000 RCN members are set to receive their ballot papers from the union in the coming weeks.
£50 million strike fund.
Ahead of the ballot opening on September 15, the College is also announcing increases to the benefit available to members from its £50 million strike fund after a meeting of the RCN’s governing Council this week.
Striking nursing staff whose earnings are withheld by their employer will now receive a strike benefit payment of £50 a day – a rise of just over 10% and commensurate with the level of inflation (RPI).
The payments will also be made from the first day of a strike instead of the second day of lost earnings onwards.
Figures suggest the average experienced frontline nurse is around £10,000 worse off in real-terms today than just over a decade ago.
Not our first choice.
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, explained: “Strike action is no one’s first choice – especially nursing staff. We joined the profession to treat people, to advocate for our patients and the care they deserve – and through this vote we are saying they deserve better.
“Nursing staff on the picket line will receive £50 a day, to help to reduce the impact of action on their earnings in these toughest of times.
“If we are pushed to strike – we will still be advocating for these patients and the future of the NHS they deserve.
“This increase recognises the increased cost of living and the impact spiraling inflation is having on each and every one of our members.”
