Health Sec pleads with militant unions for talks to prevent crippling winter strikes by nurses
The Health Secretary last night pleaded with militant union bosses to return for talks to prevent devastating nurses' strikes this winter.
Steve Barclay revealed that union bosses had rejected his offer for a final meeting before announcing their first ever national strike.
And he slammed the chiefs for not showing up during discussions with NHS chiefs on strike relief last week, in a bid to avoid huge shortages as winter pressures hit.
The Health Secretary promised “my door is open” to further discussions in a letter to Pat Cullen, boss of the Royal College of Nursing.
But he insisted ministers could not accept their demands for a staggering 19 percent pay rise in light of the “challenging economic conditions facing our country”.
In a letter to them, he praised hardworking NHS staff and said he was “disappointed” that they had chosen this “unprecedented step” of dramatic strike action.
Mr Barclay wrote: “I must express my deep regret that you have rejected my offer of a meeting and have instead taken the decision to continue announcing strike dates without further discussion.
“I urge you to reconsider your position and come back to the table.
“I, my colleagues across government, as well as the public, appreciate the care provided by nurses across the country and I am disappointed that you have taken this unprecedented step.”
Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will walk out for two days next month in what is expected to be their biggest strike in history.
Routine services will come under pressure on December 15 and 20 as they take action on pay and patient safety.
It came as union chief Mick Lynch welcomed the news that train cleaners will also join the mass strikes.
RMT chiefs said more than 1,000 workers supported industrial action, demanding higher wages and pensions.
Rail bosses were prepared to offer an eight percent pay rise in a bid to break the ongoing impasse, The Sun understands on Sunday.
But ministers are said to have vetoed the package last night.