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Striking nurses begin first of two days of industrial action in Wales

STRIKING nurses took to the picket lines across Wales today as the Royal College of Nursing Cymru took the first of two days of industrial action.

The strike came after RCN members rejected the Welsh government’s revised pay offer in May.

RCN’s Wales director Helen Whyley said: “Until the minister for health and social services reopens meaningful negotiations to try to resolve our dispute, we will, once again, stand shoulder to shoulder on the picket lines across Wales.

“If two consecutive days of strike action still does not shake the Welsh government to listen to the voice of nursing in Wales and take actions to resolve our dispute, we will return to the picket lines once again in July.

“Nursing staff are looking for a fair settlement that shows the government values and understands their profession now and into the future.”

Health minister Elunid Morgan said the Welsh government were in talks on Monday with RCN Wales and these discussions would continue.

The issue was raised during First Minister questions and Mark Drakeford confirmed his government was always open to talks to resolve the dispute.

“It is disappointing that the RCN is pursuing strike action after all the other unions have accepted the pay deal,” he said.

A Welsh government spokesperson confirmed any discussions about pay would be undertaken with all the health unions.

The Welsh government said the average pay award for NHS staff in Wales, apart from doctors, dentists and senior managers, is 15.7 per cent over two years from 2022/23 and 2023/24.

* Prospect union has paused planned strike action by civil servants in Wales after the Welsh government offered to engage in meaningful talks.

Prospect negotiations officer Daniel Maney said: “Throughout this dispute, we have made clear that our members should not be treated worse than other workers in the public sector and that they deserve a pay deal that recognises the cost-of-living crisis that began last year.

“We are entering these talks in good faith hence our calling off the strike action due for June 7, but we will maintain our action short of a strike and review that position in light of the talks that are promised.”

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