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Members of the RCN have voted to go on strike, but the union has said nothing is going to happen while "talks remain positive".
This comes as all four nursing unions involved in the pay dispute with the States of Guernsey have confirmed talks are going well, after they recommenced last month.
The dispute is over nurses pay in the island - the unions are saying it isn't good enough, which not only means they don't have pay parity with other workers, but it is also causing difficulties in recruitment and staff retention.
It looked as though things were coming to a head at the end of last year and in to the start of 2020, as talks broke down and one of the four unions in the Agenda for Change group, the Royal College of Nursing, announced it would be balloting its members on whether or not they wanted to strike.
Pictured: The RCN's strike ballot saw 61% of members vote, 95% of whom support action short of a strike, and 86% supported striking itself.
That ballot process started in February, but it came alongside news that everyone had agreed to sit back down and give talking things through another go.
This week, the RCN said its members were in favour of a strike, but nothing would happen while talks continued, because right now, they are looking positive. The four unions involved in the pay talks met again with the Policy and Resources team on Thursday and Friday last week to try and find a way through the deadlock.
A joint statement for all four unions and the States said: "The RCN, RCM, Unite and Prospect who represent staff employed on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, along with the States of Guernsey as employer, met over two days on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February. Talks were constructive and parties feel progress has been made; we continue to be cautiously optimistic around the progress of these talks. As a result all parties have agreed to further talks on 18 March 2020.
"Jointly we have formally requested the IDO continues to provide us with more time by continuing to postpone the Industrial Tribunal."
Pictured: Patricia Marquis and Kenny Lloyd from the RCN.
Speaking about the striking ballot, Patricia Marquis from the RCN said she was exceptionally proud of their members.
"Each and every one who took the time to vote were doing so to have their say on the future of nursing and healthcare in Guernsey. It is not something any of them will have taken lightly and the results speak for themselves. However, given the positive nature of the talks we remain cautiously optimistic that we can find a way forward without having to take industrial action. However, we must be clear: if the talks do not provide the solution that our members are seeking, we will notify the States of our intention to strike.
"We are hoping we can shape a deal that addresses our members concerns about the ongoing disparity between nursing pay and that of others in Guernsey. It is essential that this is addressed to ensure a sustainable nursing workforce that will continue to deliver the highest quality health and social care service for the people of Guernsey. We hope the meeting on 18 March will enable us to continue to find a solution together.”
It was only the second time in 103 years that RCN members have voted to take strike action.
Pictured: the RCN's ballot results. To see more information, click here.
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