UNISON to issue legal challenge to Nursing and Midwifery Council

UNISON News

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is set to issue legal proceedings on Monday,
challenging the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) over its statement that said
nurses and midwives could be in breach of the NMC Code of Conduct if they take
part in lawful industrial action on 30th November 2011.

The union has asked for a retraction from the NMC, but this has been ignored.

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said,

“We have taken legal advice, and in our view, the NMC’s threatening statement was wrong. If members choose to take lawful industrial action they will not be in breach of the Code of Conduct.

“We know nurses, midwives and health workers would not do anything to
harm their patients, or to breach their Code of Conduct. And as a responsible
union, it is not something we would ever consider asking our members to do.

“We will not allow our members to be threatened or intimidated, and we are taking legal steps to challenge the NMC.

ENDS