Nurses warn of more strike dates in January as they fight for 'the bitter end'

New NHS strike dates could be announced as early as next week as the RCN's first national strike in 106 years begins today - with even top Tory and pay chief urges Rishi Sunak to reopen pay talks

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Nurses strike: RCN members discuss their motivations for action

Nurses could announce a wave of new strikes in January as early as next week as their union leader warns they will fight until the 'bitter end'.

Tory ministers are facing deafening demands to overhaul NHS pay after the start of the first national walkout in the Royal College of Nursing's 106-year history this morning.

Tens of thousands of nurses are absent or on picket lines today, December 20 or both.

General Secretary Pat Cullen has said there is a "very strong possibility" new strike dates will be announced for January if the Health Secretary does not reopen wage talks.

The union must give two weeks' notice - so dates could be announced before Christmas.

Ms Cullen said nurses go to food banks and "wait for their patients to eat so they can eat what's left." What a way to treat this business."

Nurses on the picket line at St Thomas' Hospital in London today (

Picture:

ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

She added, "I woke up very, very early this morning and was heartbroken as a nurse.

"It's tragic for nursing, it's tragic for patients and it's tragic for the NHS, that the government feels it can sit in its office today and keep our nurses away."

Former Conservative Speaker Jake Berry has warned that Rishi Sunak's 4.75% wage offer for nurses was too low and that he must now 'meet somewhere in the middle' of their 19-year demand %.

"I can tell you that the government's offer is too low," he told TalkTV. "The government will have to improve its offer."

England Nursing Director Dame Ruth May appeared to support the striking nurses on the picket line.