Nurses go on strike in the UK: What are their demands? | DW News

Two years ago when the coronavirus sent people into intensive care, nurses were often the only thing between life and death. Now the pandemic may be ending, but the plight of these essential men and women isn't. Today in parts of the UK, nurses staged an unprecedented strike. It's the first time the Royal College of Nurses trade union has called a strike in its 106 year history.
Up to 100,000 nurses walked off the job on Thursday. They say this is a last resort in their fight for better wages and working conditions. Union leaders say nurses are overworked due to short staffing. That's exacerbated by a backlog of appoinments and treatment made worse by the coronavirus pandemic.

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[gerardmccartney]

Funny how pay review bodies for politicians always recommend huge pay rises

[velezmarzc]

Nurses in spain and france are on strike as well

[OldieBugger]

Yea, this problem is not limited to UK only. It's pretty similar situation here in Finland too and probably in many other countries as well.

[Svafne]

When the rich need a bailout they get it and more, plus some tax reductions.
But when the workers need the very basics there's nothing for them.

It's not about means, it's about priorites.

[barjamlin]

It’s no better here in the USA, unfortunately. As a nurse in the USA, I feel your pain and support you!

[fionarras]

The profession will vote with their feet and leave it. We are already seeing it. Healthcare without Nurses is pretty much dead.

[drozdforce]

Goverment got money for missiles and weapons and supporting wars all over the globe but no money for its own people its crazy

[Gingerouz]

Similar problems here in Sweden too. I myself work in healthcare and experience the staff shortage. In my field ( working with autism) there is a lot of talk about digital solutions to the problems we have and that it should hopefully help cover the staff shortage. I don't mind developing the job more digitally, but I think the reason for it is really bad. It's like putting a Band-Aid on a wound that needs stitching

Ps. I used Google translate to write this so sorry if it's abit off.

[rafaelcelis]

We are living in this world where someone kicking balls earns hundreds of millions compared to the essential workers earning pennies

[aloh]

It's not about being over worked.
It's about being underpaid!!

This is why they are demanding a pay rise!

[anthonyferris]

The NHS needs a complete overhaul, but no government dare do it, because it’s treated like a national religion.

[solallate]

Healthcare employees deserve respectful payment for their work. How can they work when in so much stress? Their work is very important they are very important people

[hans-steffenlindner]

The same thing is happened in Newfoundland and Labrador. Nurse went to strike 3 weeks ago here.

[hanahudcova]

Give them more money now! They deserve it. The more useless some professions are the more money people in them earn. People who really work and are useful for everybody typically earn less.

[Milinclaire]

To my understanding this just proves how much we need an edge as investors because playing the market like everyone else just isn’t good enough. I've been quite unsure about investing in this current market and at the same time I feel it's the best time to get started on the market, what are your thoughts?

[KittenBowl]

Well, having lived in commonwealth countries for ages, UK medical system is one of the worst if not the worst among those countries that provide universal healthcare. It is such a flawed system, and running poor house. I recall having to wait for 13 hours in excruciating pain in the ER. I almost lost a kidney. There’re many who have to wait to get a simple surgery, like months. In many commonwealth countries, there’re shortages of both doctors and nurses all the time. Well that’s one of the reason I left. I never have to wait for a family doctor when I move to a new city and unlikely the US, no one goes bankrupt due to medical bills. Surprising that they haven’t protested before in that condition for over a century. It’s pretty amazing actually.

[aclem]

One good thing in the US is that if you don't like the pay you can go to another facility that pays more. With government health care it is the same across the board.

[bernadettecrawford]

PAY NURSES MORE THEY DESERVE IT ITS A DISGRACE

[Kartoffelsuppe_m_Wursteinlage]

Thanks for the coverage. We all have to understand health care as Investment.
I wish all nurses in Steine success and a fair salary. Full solidarity for our nurses, there's no reason why a soccer player should be more worthwhile!!!

[suhailshafi]

Working conditions for medical health professionals often leave much to be desired. LISTEN to us.