The government has rejected an offer by nursing leaders to suspend an unprecedented planned strike this week in return for pay talks with the health secretary.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said the government’s attitude was “dangerous” and “irresponsible” and that ministers were turning down an offer “too good to refuse”.
Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the RCN said she was willing to suspend the action if Mr Barclay agreed to come to the table and discuss a deal. She also suggested that she was flexible on pay demands.
Mr Streeting said: "I think that is an offer that’s too good to refuse and I want the government to explain why they aren’t prepared to even sit down and talk even though they know patients will experience real disruption as a result of strike action."
"The government’s line is a complete joke on that, there hasn’t been a single minute of negotiation..."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/steve-barclay-nurse-cleverly-strike-nhs-b2243025.html
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https://news.sky.com/story/ministers-dangerous-and-irresponsible-for-not-talking-to-striking-nurses-as-union-warns-people-will-die-12765984