No one leaves the strikes by health workers with honour
As the bitter NHS strikes near a ‘conclusion’, it’s worth a look back at the utter tragedy of it all. More than a million NHS staff in England will receive a 5% pay rise, after health unions backed a deal - a deal which is little better than the one offered months ago. Staff, including ambulance workers, nurses, physios, and porters will also get a one-off sum of at least £1,655.
The pay deal was signed off by 14 health unions representing all NHS staff apart from doctors and dentists. Three unions are threatening to continue action. However, only one - Unite - currently has a strike mandate and that is for local strikes in some ambulance services and a few hospitals.
No one leaves this debacle with any honour. The NHS is in decay because of years of negligent management by numerous administrations and we all discovered that the most caring in our society are prone to lapses in morality too.
Lest we forget that cancer appointments were cancelled, lives put in jeopardy and trust in our medical professionals is damaged for 5% and 1,600 quid.
We all love nurses and doctors, every one of us has been helped or indeed saved by this most noble of vocations.
However, there is nothing noble about the way this has been conducted. From the cynical timings of strike action to the virtue signalling spewed at anyone who dared challenge the immorality.
For full clarity mismanagement of the NHS is a disgrace, but taking advantage of position and vulnerable people is equal to it. You may hate the Tories (courageous stuff ), but demanding money (or people will perish) is peak Tory behaviour.
I do believe in the right to strike but I believe more in the right to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
To hear that junior doctors, and possibly three outlying nursing unions may still strike is testament that zero has been learned.
Like many, I assumed at first that this was a worthwhile strike, I understand the cost-of-living issues and the need for these heroic people to enjoy their lives.
But this is a moral issue and seemingly people who preach morality tend to be the ones most likely to exploit it. Morality should be the primary driver in public service.