The Royal College of Nursing Union says it is calling off its strike as they engage in “hot talks” with ministers over wages.
RCN members in England were set to walk out for 48 hours from 1-3 March, including by emergency departments for the first time, as part of the long-running dispute with the government over pay and conditions.
However, unions now meet with the health secretary on Wednesday to begin “intense” negotiations, saying they will “suspend the strike during these negotiations“. Shortly after announcing that they were arriving at the hospital, the Department of Health and Human Services told the NHS Salary Review Board that it would recommend a salary increase of up to 3.5% in 2023-2024, the amount that should be paid to all health workers.
The government also recommends that the salaries of police officers, teachers and judges be raised by 3.5%.