Nurses to 'overwhelmingly' reject pay deal as strike vote looms

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is expected to overwhelmingly reject the government's proposed 3.6% pay rise for nurses. This consultative vote comes as the union prepares to hold a strike ballot, potentially leading to widespread industrial action. Nurses have been facing significant challenges, including rising costs of living and concerns over patient safety due to staffing shortages. The proposed pay increase has been widely criticized as insufficient, with the RCN arguing that it does not adequately address the financial pressures faced by healthcare workers. The upcoming strike vote reflects the growing frustration among nurses, who feel that their contributions to the healthcare system have not been properly recognized or compensated. The results of the consultative vote are expected to provide a clear indication of the level of support for industrial action, which could have significant implications for the delivery of healthcare services across the country.