NHS workers including nurses and midwives to strike again next month over pay

A total of 11 trade unions representing health staff including nurses and midwives will stage a four-hour stoppage on the morning of Monday, November 24.

This will be followed by ‘action short of strike action’, where staff will refuse to work through their breaks.

The industrial action follows the strike on October 13 and the work-to-rule protest for the following four days.

Chair of NHS trade unions Christina McAnea said: “The next set of industrial action will be even stronger as more unions are joining in.

“Health workers care for patients and their families every day of the year often when they are at their most vulnerable or distressed.

“The NHS depends on the goodwill and commitment of the workforce and this is now at breaking point.

“The government has made no attempt to resolve this dispute and staff have been left with no alternative but to take more industrial action. Jeremy Hunt needs to realise that this dispute is not going away. All we are asking for is fair pay.”

Among the trade unions taking part in the strike are Unison, the Royal College of Midwives, GMB and Unite.

GMB lay representatives in the NHS will meet on Tuesday to plan the action, with further details expected to be announced afterwards.

The news comes as firefighters prepare to walk out from this evening in the run up to Bonfire Night, as their long-running despite over pensions rumbles on.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union will strike for four days from 6pm from tonight – also Halloween – and will return to work on the evening next Tuesday. Click here for more.