The threat of more strikes by nurses has ended after a ballot on further industrial action failed to meet the legal threshold. The Royal College of Nursing said 84% of its members who voted backed more strikes. But only 43% took part in the ballot, so it failed to reach the legal threshold of 50% required by the 2016 Trade Union Act.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said in an email to members: "To every one of you who took part, whether by voting or encouraging others to, thank you. We have so much to be proud of.
"While the vast majority of members who returned their ballot papers voted in favour of strike action, we did not meet the 50% turnout threshold necessary for us to be able to take further strike action. While this will be disappointing for many of you, the fight for the fair pay and safe staffing that our profession, our patients, and our NHS deserves, is far from over.
