The Royal College of Nurses branch for Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT NHS Trust) have begun their two day picket in support of fair pay for nursing staff.
Organised by nurse Harry Eccles, the picket line outside St Mary’s Hospital will be manned from 7am to 6pm both days (Wednesday and Thursday), despite the cold temperatures.
Green Party support
Several members of the Isle of Wight Green Party, including Vix Lowthion, Joe Lever and Cameron Palin, have already paid a visit to stand in solidarity with the nurses.
Cllr Richard Quigley (Labour) also popped down to show solidarity with the nurses.
The MPFT Trust
The official picket is made up of Nurses from MPFT Trust, who deliver drug and alcohol support on the Isle of Wight, however they would love to be joined by anyone wishing to show their support.
IW NHS Trust members
As reported by News OnTheWight, although RCN members at Isle of Wight NHS Trust were just shy of the legal threshold in the ballot in order to strike, 86 per cent of Isle of Wight nurses who voted, chose to vote for strike action.
The picket line will be in force from 7am to 6pm both days.
Why the strike?
At the end of last year Harry explained on Politics Live the reason behind the strike action.
Article edit
2.30pm 18th Jan 2023 – Extra photos added
Images: © Harry Eccles
