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Nurses should not be allowed to strike because they are too important to the nation’s health, according to a man who simultaneously believes they aren’t important enough to be given a proper pay rise.
After Royal College of Nursing members rejected the latest well-below-inflation government pay offer, and voted to strike again at the end of April – while ensuring emergency care is unaffected – Simon Williams was quick to brand their decision “disgusting”.
He went on, “They are supposed to look after us when we get sick. Their job is an essential service that any one of us could require at any time. At any moment. It’s so important, in fact, that I think we should legislate to prevent nurses from ever going on strike.
“Workers who are essential to the smooth running and ongoing health of our country should not be allowed to strike.
“What’s that? Should we then give them an inflation-matching pay rise? Well, no, of course not. They’re not that important. Considering their importance, I think a pay rise of about half the rate of inflation is about right. I want them to be earning less in real terms, just not a lot less.
“They are important enough that striking should be banned in case it affects me in any way, but not important enough that I’d consider paying a fraction of a penny more in income tax to fund their pay increase.
“Hope that clears it up.”
