In the United Kingdom, nurses cease their mobilization. The profession went on strike in December and has since walked off the job for several days to demand more resources for the public hospital and above all better salary conditions.
From our correspondent in London, Emily Wine
The main nurses’ union did not gather the support of its members to renew the strike. In six months of strike, the nursing unions won a 5% increase. But not enough to offset inflation and 12 years of austerity, says Pete, a nurse for 20 years. “ We know that there is a crisis in purchasing power on a national scale. I think people think it’s a salary thing. It’s true, but not only. It’s also about having enough staff, it’s a matter of patient safety. I would have thought that as a profession we would have mobilized more. regrets the nurse.
The vote was invalidated because of too low participation, less than 50%. ” Disappointed, but not surprised. The deadline was too short: we only had four weeks to vote. With a postal vote, it takes longer than that! explains Kelley, a London nurse who is not surprised by the result. The young woman has also left the union, but retains a certain pride in the mobilization of six months. ” The first day of our strike was one of the coldest days of winter. I remember being very touched by the support of the population. It’s great to see how many people support us and not just our profession, but the public hospital entity. “recalls the young woman.
The walkouts at the public hospital are not over, however: the interns and the titular doctors announce new strikes for the summer.