Nurses and strikes
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-05-13Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 12 →
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Seas 50, We invite readers to send us their letters, up to a usual maximum length of 400 words.
Send to Socialist Organiser. c/o 28, Middle Lane. London N8. STOP NOD (HATCHERS WAR NOW 7. is;
DInO SAILORS SHIPS THERE are a few points I'd like to make in regard to Anna Lunts' article on the NHS and strike action in SO 82.
Nurses have been striking and taking action for years prior to 1970, contrary to the article.
The following is a list of some actions taken:
1918 — in Anna Lunts' own hospital, the Prestwick Asylum, the National Asylum Workers Union withdrew 200 employees, and 429 from Wittingham Asylum over pay negotiations. A long struggle ensued, nurses blockaded themselves in the Asylum and didn't allow anyone in. There are reports of bloody fights with the police.
1937 - nurses in London had a sandwich board march through London, wearing black masks to avoid recognition.
They took some strike action, and all student nurses threatened to hand in month's notice unless they had a decent pay rise.
In 1949 the same actions occurred. Nursing history sees fit to emphasize this struggle by solely referring to the fact that the nurses were addressed by students standing on coal wagons.
Hope this puts a few facts right.
MARY IRESON Cardiff