Nursing union leader Pat Cullen has told the Government the next round of pay talks must begin with discussions of a double-digit pay rise.
In a fresh escalation of the bitter wage dispute, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) General Secretary said talks must "start off" above 10% or risk strikes running to Christmas.
RCN members will begin voting on May 23 for further strike action after the union's six-month mandate expired at the beginning of the month.