Pay deal despair for nurses

Saturday 21 March 2020

Guernsey's nurses say they've been left feeling "in despair" as their ongoing talks with the States over their claims for "fair pay" appear to have ended badly again.

After months of wrangling, the island's nurses looked set to strike this year, but as the corona virus pandemic takes a grip on the world, they said they wouldn't take industrial action at a time when they are desperately needed.

Earlier this week, union members said they would put talks of striking on the "back-burner", promising the public that no industrial action will be held whilst the covid-19 outbreak is present.

However, the Royal College Of Nursing says its members are angry after talks due to be held on Wesdnesday 18 March "broke down following a positive start at the end of February".

Pictured: How Express reported the situation earlier this week. 

Last week the RCN had confirmed that it would not call its members to strike whilst the threat of corona virus remained present. As the situation is currently developing on a daily basis, that could be some months away. 

However, since then the nurses feelings appear to have changed following the latest scheduled talks. 

Patricia Marquis, RCN Regional Director said: “The lack of progress is devastating for our members. At a time when they will be called upon like never before this is a complete kick in the teeth. We have been strung along by the States for so long now. If it were not for covid-19 we would absolutely be calling the nurses to strike next week.

"The States should make no mistake, once the threat from covid-19 has passed, our members will walk out."

 The RCN said it won't stop fighting yet.

“We have written to the States desperately trying to get P&R commit to close the gap," said Mrs Marquis. "We appreciate that the pandemic puts numerous stakeholders in a terrible position but now more than ever we would expect the States to recognise the value of nurses and put some form of commitment in place to support them. Nurses who are stepping up should not be stepped upon and we will continue out fight once this crisis is over.”