NURSES in Wales are to resume strike action after rejecting today another below-inflation pay deal put forward by the Welsh government.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) rejected the deal involving a lump sum of 3 per cent of wages for 2022-23 and a 5 per cent pay increase for 2023-24.

Inflation is currently more than 10 per cent.

RCN members in England earlier rejected a proposed real-terms pay cut.

Strikes will take place in Wales on June 6 and 7 and July 12 and 13.

The Welsh RCN has warned that derogations during the strikes — exemption of certain services from action — will be “tighter than those in place during strike action in December” last year.

RCN members in Wales voted 46.79 per cent to accept and 53.21 per cent to reject.

The union has called for an “urgent” resumption of negotiations.

RCN Wales director Helen Whyley said: “Nursing staff took the momentous decision to strike for fair pay and safe staffing levels.

“We need a substantial offer from the Welsh government that reflects the magnitude of that decision.

“Today, we have heard our members loud and clear, and this latest decision only makes us more determined as a college to secure a meaningful and acceptable pay offer for the future of the profession.”

Ms Whyley said that nursing staff always act in the interests of their patients and are the true ambassadors for our NHS, and that the government must now act in the best interests of nurses as “protecting nursing protects the public.”

She said: “I have asked for pay talks to be opened immediately with the Minister for Health and Social Services [Eluned Morgan] so that our members do not need to return to picket lines.

“Strike action is always a last resort, but we have been pushed here yet again. If talks aren’t forthcoming, we won’t hesitate to strike, with stronger strike action than we’ve seen before.”

Public service union Unison Cymru will announce the results of a ballot of its health sector members today.

The union said a “final decision” on the deal will be made at a meeting of all health unions in Wales on Monday May 22.

RCN nurses in England rejected the offer despite it being recommended by the union’s leadership while RCN leaders in Wales made no recommendation.