Union boss suggested ‘the public would support NHS nurses’ strike even if disruption lead to harm or death’
- The union boss was asked about public support in the event of ‘harm or death’
- Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe is alleged to have made the comments on a video
- Unite said Mr Jarrett-Thorpe misheard the second part of the question
A hardline NHS union boss has said his members will still have the public’s support if patients start to die, it is claimed.
As nurses prepare for their historic industrial action, Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe is claimed to have said the public will support his members even if ‘maximum disruption might lead to harm or even death’.
According to The Sun, Mr Jarrett-Thorpe was responding to a question on a video when he made the comments.
He said: ‘Well, yes. We did a survey back in July, just before the pay review body recommendation.
‘And 58 per cent of the people that were surveyed said they’d support NHS workers taking industrial action if they got below nine per cent pay rise.’
However, the union later insisted Mr Jarrett-Thorpe did not hear the final part of a question mentioning ‘maximum disruption’ leading to ‘harm or even death’.
Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe was recorded on a video responding to questions about the upcoming NHS strike
Health Secretary Steve Barclay, pictured, held talks on Tuesday with health unions about the dispute
The union added: ‘He does not believe that the public would support NHS strikes that could cause people harm or put their lives at risk. Nor would he ever advocate for any strike where that could happen.’
Unions met with health secretary Steve Barclay on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing workforce crisis within the NHS.
The unions warned that without urgent pay hikes, experienced staff will continue to quit the NHS causing further manpower shortages.
Following the meeting, Mr Jarrett-Thorpe said: ‘The government must put forward a better pay deal and one that is not funded from already mercilessly squeezed budgets.
‘The truth is that NHS workers can’t carry on like this. Waiting lists are lengthening and healthcare staff are leaving in alarming numbers. Unite is determined to win a better deal for our members.’
Speaking earlier this week, PM Rishi Sunak said the pay deal sought by nurses was ‘unaffordable’.
The Prime Minister told ITV News: ‘We have enormous gratitude for our nurses, and indeed all the other workers in the NHS, for what they do and have done for us over the past couple of years.
‘But what the unions are asking for is a 17 per cent pay rise, and I think most people watching will understand that that’s unaffordable and the way we deal with these situations, because of course, it’s difficult and of course people are struggling, is that we have an independent body make recommendations to the Government about what a fair settlement is.’
Hundreds of thousands of health workers, including nurses, ambulance crews, midwives and paramedics, have either voted for industrial action or are being balloted.
Unions have warned that a below inflation pay rise announced by the government in the summer was fuelling a raft of resignations as health workers find better paid and less stressful jobs.
MailOnline has approached Unite for a comment.
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