Union leaders dismissed Conservative leader Nadhim Zahavi’s comments linking the strikes to the war in Ukraine, calling it “a new low for this government” and “shameful.”
Mr. Zahavi used his media appearances on Sunday to urge nurses not to strike and to “send a very clear signal” to Russian President Vladimir Putin when he said the rise in prices was due to higher energy costs as a result of Russia’s territory. to Ukraine.
“Now is not the time to separate. We need to work together to send, I hope, a very clear signal to Mr Putin that he cannot use energy as a weapon in this way,” he told Sky News. He repeated the same message in later appearances on the BBC and Times Radio.
Pat Cullen, Secretary General of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), commented: “Using Russia’s war in Ukraine as an excuse for real pay cuts for British nurses is a new low for this government. The public does not believe such rhetoric and wants ministers to discuss our dispute.”
She added that caregivers left the NHS because they couldn’t afford food, bills and “feared the worst for energy this winter.”
“Ten days before our strike begins, I reaffirm my commitment to meet with ministers to discuss our dispute.”
Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, said: “Nadhim Zahavi’s claim that British nurses, ambulance drivers and teachers are allies of Vladimir Putin is as ridiculous as it is outrageous.
“Instead of destroying our NHS with an act of catastrophic self-harm and threatening to call in the army, the minister should instead ask why medical workers are leaving en masse.”
Up to 100,000 care workers will strike across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Thursday 15 December and Tuesday 20 December. The RCN is calling for a 5 percent increase in wages over RPI inflation.
Unite is also voting among 10,000 healthcare professionals, including those in nursing, counselling, psychology, dentistry and audiology, on whether strikes should be undertaken. Midwives and physicians in training are considering separate measures.
The UK is facing a wave of winter strikes as postal workers, teachers, university professors, civil servants and railway workers stage nationwide strikes ahead of Christmas.
Mr. Zahavi said that inflationary economic conditions mean “this is not the time for strikes, this is the time for negotiations.”
He added: “To demand a 19 percent increase in wages [for nurses] costing the NHS £10bn is now wrong in my opinion.
“If you take all wage increases at the rate of inflation, that’s about £28bn. This will cost each family just under £1,000. This is unacceptable if we are trying to maintain financial discipline.”
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.