THE MS for Arfon, Siân Gwenllian, joined striking nurses on the picket line at Ysbyty Gwynedd last week.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) took industrial action against Welsh Government in locations across Wales on June 6 and 7.

RCN members on NHS Agenda for Change contracts in Wales were consulted on whether they were to accept or reject the revised pay offer from April 24 to May 10.

But members in Wales rejected the offer, and so RCN remains in dispute with Welsh Government.

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Ms Gwenllian showed her solidarity with the nurses on June 7.

She said: “Without question, these hard-working, highly qualified nurses wouldn’t be striking if they didn’t feel it was absolutely necessary.

“I was glad to show my support for their calls for a fair pay for nursing.

“Their pay continues to fall behind inflation, and there is not doubt that these pay issues play a massive part in the current staffing crisis.

“The minister for health and social services must re-open meaningful pay negotiations immediately, as the current offer is still below what is needed to bring wages back to the levels they were back in 2008, and still well below inflation - health workers will still face a cut salary in real terms.

“And it isn’t a purely financial argument – there are other very real problems including work pressures and the need for support in terms of professional development.

“I and Plaid Cymru stand in solidarity with nurses in their fight for fair pay and safe working conditions.”