UNISON today welcomed the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) statement
backing down from its previous threat to Nurses and Midwives, warning them
against taking industrial action. UNISON had said that legal proceedings
would be issued against the NMC in the High Court today, unless they
retracted the threat.
The NMC has now issued a clarification, making it clear that nurses and
midwives may take strike action and this would not be a breach of the Code
of Conduct for nurses and midwives.
UNISON gave the NMC 24 hours to withdraw their statement made on 5
October, which suggested that nurses and midwives may be in breach of the
NMC Codes of Conduct if they take lawful industrial action on 30 November
2011. UNISON made it clear to the NMC that not only were these statements
threatening and intimidating, but they were also wrong – a nurse or midwife
cannot be subject to disciplinary action for taking part in lawful industrial
action.
Following an unsatisfactory response, UNISON informed the NMC that it
would issue legal proceedings in the High Court.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
This is a significant climb down by the NMC and we are pleased they have
accepted that the code of conduct in no way stops nurses and midwives from
taking lawful industrial action. We will still be seeking answers from the NMC
about what was behind this heavy handed and threatening statement.
As we have always said, nurses, midwives and health workers would never do
anything to harm their patients, or to breach their Code of Conduct. As a
responsible union, that is not something we would ever consider asking our
members to do.
Although UNISON is asking members to vote YES in the ballot, we want
members to vote with their conscience and know that they are free to do so
without fear or intimidation.
We will not allow anyone to bully our members and will defend their legitimate
right to express their anger at Government Ministers attempt to rob their
pensions.
Ends
