Union bosses warned that nurse strikes involving twice as many workers would be announced for February if negotiations with the government did not progress soon.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union said further strikes would be planned if salary negotiations hang until the end of January.
All eligible members in the UK will go on strike for the first time, making it the RCN’s largest to date.
Its secretary-general, Pat Cullen, blamed the prime minister for his “amazing” approach to negotiations, insisting that people support nurses in their wage dispute with the government.
The government insisted that nurses were offered a “fair” wage arrangement and “fully” accepted the recommendations of the independent wage review body.
Transport secretary Mark Harper was pushed on the subject by Sophy Ridge on Sky News this morning, pointing to documents showing the government had set its budget for payment before hearing from the body, warning them that any high bid could increase inflation.
Harper said it’s important to explain the “context” of the economy to an independent agency, and they also get evidence from unions before making a decision.
He denied that the government had set parameters for salary increases, adding: “We’ve made some assumptions, but we’ll see what the independent salary agency says.“
The union initially demanded a 19% wage increase, Although 10% stated that they would acceptbut instead Downing Street Considering a one-time payment.
Without showing any signs of progress, Rishi Altar‘s management pushing for new anti-strike laws this will require minimal service on strike days.
But Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer told the government to “do what’s grown-up, get in the room and negotiate”.
Cullen said ministers risked forcing nurses to quit health care en masse.
“The nurse shortage costs lives – Altar can’t put a price on a safe. NHSsaid.
Read more:
Everything you need to know about the January strikes
A history of strike action and their achievements
‘Disaster zone’ as patients are left to die in hospital corridors
Anger at the death of the woman who waited for an ambulance for 15 hours
Potential strike date
Members are likely to take action on February 6, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of an investigation into how nurse shortages affect patient deaths, the RCN said.
Focusing on the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, the Robert Francis investigation revealed that hundreds of patients were neglected at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2009.
Some elderly people cannot eat, drink, or are trapped in their own urine without taking necessary medication.
Mr Francis warned that the NHS crisis is “playing by the Mid Staff at the national level, or worse”.
The Department of Health and Social Care showed no signs of a change in approach, saying on Saturday night that more than a million NHS workers have received a minimum wage increase of £1,400 this year.
The spokesperson added: “This is in addition to the 3% salary increase last year when public sector salaries were frozen, and broader government support with the cost of living.”
No sign that the wave of action is over
The latest threat from the RCN union comes before work layoffs on Wednesday and Thursday, when nursing staff from more than 70 NHS trusts are poised to strike.
This includes 55 non-UK trusts. First wave of action in December.
If RCN members go on strike in February, they will join nurses in Wales, who are expected to take action now.
Click to subscribe to Sky News Daily from wherever you get your podcasts
There are no planned strikes in Northern Ireland or Scotland, where there are no managers at Stormont. Negotiations continue with the Holyrood government.
Hundreds of thousands of workers in many sectors of the economy, from rail and post to civil servants and bus drivers, went on strike this winter over disputes over wages and working conditions as unions struggle to keep wages in line with rising inflation.
If you are an NHS worker and would like to share your experiences with us anonymously, please email NHSstories@sky.uk.