RCN members in Scotland have chosen to reject the NHS pay deal. A lot of them have said that they are now backing the strike action and that the results are now showing that the industrial action could take place later on this year. If you work in an established nursing recruitment agency or if you’re seeking work through a nurse agency then you’ll know how frustrating it can be when the government do not offer pay deals that are good enough, but if people don’t stand out then this will put carers and even those who work in care jobs at a huge disadvantage.

The turnout for this actually went beyond 50% and this is the minimum required for the strike to go ahead and become legal. Members who are in Scotland are now being given the chance to vote in a statutory ballot and this is going to take place via post. This is required by the law if nursing staff want to be able to join the picket lines. The ballot was not indicative of any members and their general feelings to the pay offer, but it did happen to meet the various criteria that was required for the strike to become lawful. Anyone who is working with the NHS in Scotland are now going to be joining those in Wales and England. They are going to be doing what they can to vote and anyone who is eligible to vote should certainly do so. Nursing staff are not going to stop until they can get the fair treatment they are seeking, and this is only fair when you look at the hours that they put in to help those around them to heal and to take care of themselves.