Tory Health Secretary Steve Barclay has confirmed plans to take legal action against striking nurses over next week's walkout.
Nursing leaders accused the Government of trying to "silence members" who are due to down tools from 8pm on Sunday, April 30, to 8pm on Tuesday, May 2, after rejecting the Government's latest pay offer.
NHS bosses have argued that Royal College of Nursing's six month strike mandate in England expires at midnight on May 1.