about whether its legal. the 48 hour strike is due to begin at 8pm on 30th april at affected hospitals. it s scheduled to end at 8pm on 2nd may, but nhs employers claim the six month mandate to strike actually expires at midnight on 1st may as they believe the strike ballot closed at midday on 2nd november. for the first time, the next strike action by the rcn is set to involve nursing staff from emergency departments, intensive care units and those working in cancer care. it s an escalation of the industrial action after members of the union voted last week to reject a 5% pay increase accompanied by a one off payment. in a statement, the health and social care secretary steve barclay said i have regretfully provided notice of my intent to pursue legal action, to ask the courts to declare the royal college of nursing s upcoming strike action to be unlawful. the government firmly believes in the right to strike, but it is vital that any industrial action is lawful and i have no
good morning. it s saturday april 22nd. our main story the health secretary has said he is pursuing legal action over the lawfulness of the next strike by nhs nurses in england. steve barclay said he was responding to concerns from nhs employers, who believe the planned walkout at the end of the month would be unlawful. simonjones reports. the bitter dispute between nurses and the government is now heading to the courts. members of the royal college of nursing in england have already walked out twice this year, and a new strike is planned for the end of this month. but there are questions now about whether it s legal. the 48 hour strike is due to begin at 8pm on 30th april at affected hospitals. it s scheduled to end at 8pm on 2nd may, but nhs employers claim the six month mandate to strike actually expires at midnight on ist may as they believe the strike ballot closed at midday on 2nd november. for the first time, the next strike