Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:37 pm on 1 March 2023.
Thanks, Russell. Obviously, we are always keen, in the Welsh Labour Government, to work in social partnership, and I would suggest that we actually have a very good and constructive relationship with all of the unions. Obviously, there are times when we disagree on aspects of detail, and we acknowledge that there is a genuine sense of grievance at the moment. That's why we want to make sure that we continue those discussions, looking at how we will implement what is now an agreed position. What I won't be doing is giving a running commentary on exactly what will be happening in those discussions.
What I can tell you is that the way the system works is that there are around 15 recognised health trade unions, and, in terms of the way that the vote took place, those unions have a vote that is proportionate to the size of the membership. And that's why they got to a position where it was accepted by one vote. And, obviously, we are pleased to see that it has been accepted, and I think, it's important that you go and ask the trade unions themselves in terms of whether they want to disclose who did what. What I can tell you, for example, is that the physiotherapists accepted the offer, and their threat of strike has been withdrawn. The RCM—the Royal College of Midwives—rejected the offer, but they will honour the agreement and have withdrawn their strike action.
So, people are responding differently. That's why what we need to do now, in the next few days, is to just sit down and see what else we need to do in this space in terms of seeing whether we can do anything more to avoid strike action in future.