Nurses Allege Union Abandonment Amid Gender Identity Disputes

Nurses feel abandoned by their trade union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which has allegedly failed to support members during times of need, an employment tribunal has been told. The tribunal is hearing a case brought by Sandie Peggie, who claims the RCN discriminated against her due to her gender-critical beliefs.

Bethany Hutchison, president of the Darlington Nurses Union and one of seven nurses who successfully sued their employer for creating a 'hostile environment,' testified that she has become "completely disillusioned" with the RCN. She stated, "I do not find them helpful, I think they have abandoned their members, particularly their female members."

Jennifer Melle, another nurse, also criticized the RCN's support. Melle was disciplined after using masculine pronouns for a convicted child abuser who identified as transgender and had racially abused her. She received a written warning for referring to the patient as "mister" in May 2024. Melle was later suspended with full pay after reporting the incident. She told the tribunal that the RCN had not been there for her when she needed it most, describing the required reflection on the incident as "punishment."

"My understanding, they just wanted to comply with the patient’s wishes and abandon the biological reality and go with the patient," Melle stated. "As a nurse, it's my role to advocate for good practice and also to give excellent care to my patients, and at this point, I believe the RCN instead were blaming me for not complying with the patient pronoun."

Melle recounted suffering from "sleepless nights" and "panic attacks" during the ordeal, emphasizing, "I worked so hard for my career, and I needed the RCN to be there for me."

David Hay KC, representing the RCN, suggested that union representatives had been in contact with Melle to discuss her case. He stated there was "no way for the RCN to know that you had the deep-seated concerns that you’re telling us."

Sandie Peggie's tribunal is her second. In her first case against NHS Fife and Dr. Beth Upton, a judge upheld harassment complaints against her employer, though claims of discrimination, indirect discrimination, and victimisation were dismissed. Peggie is appealing that judgment.

This current case focuses on Peggie's allegations that the RCN failed to provide adequate support following a confrontation with Dr. Beth Upton on Christmas Eve 2023. Naomi Cunningham, representing Peggie, suggested that the RCN representative, Stuart Fraser, failed to advise Peggie on potential discrimination claims or refer her for legal advice due to a prevailing organizational culture focused on "all gender ideology."

Fraser rejected this claim. The tribunal is ongoing.