Nurses: We will not announce strike action dates until after pay talks conclude

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will not announce dates for strike action in Scotland until after formal pay talks have concluded, its general secretary has said.

Pat Cullen met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Friday, in what a spokeswoman called a “welcome dialogue”.

Ms Cullen described the meeting as “positive”, adding that the “Scottish Government is taking the right approach to date”.

Formal talks between NHS staff and management are due to resume next week, with the RCN saying they will only announce action if the talks fall short.

“This morning’s meeting was positive and Scottish Government is taking the right approach to date – getting to the negotiating table and seeing how this action could be averted,” Ms Cullen said.

“With new NHS pay talks opening, we will not be announcing strike action in Scotland until that process reaches conclusion. This is an offer that applies to all governments.

“The First Minister understood that we have a very strong mandate for action in Scotland and that our members will strike if a satisfactory pay offer is not forthcoming.”

The Scottish Government faces a fraught industrial landscape in the coming months with a number of workforces threatening strike action, including NHS staff and teachers.

NHS staff were previously offered a £2,205 flat rate pay increase, which would equate to 11% for the lowest earners, which as rejected by unions in favour of action.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who is in charge of the country’s finances, reiterated his stance on Thursday that no money is available to increase the pay offer without a budget cut elsewhere.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “Ms Cullen and the First Minister discussed the concerns of nurses, and other NHS staff, in the face of pressures in the cost of living crisis.

“Both stressed the importance of continued meaningful engagement on pay, and were disappointed that the UK Government had not recognised the importance of seeking an agreement in the interests of nurses and to avoid industrial action.

“Formal negotiations on NHS Scotland pay and conditions will re-commence with all (Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee) health unions and staff representatives early next week.”

Any increased pay deal struck by the UK Government with staff in England would result in an increase to the devolved budgets, which could be used to resolve the disputes.