ONE definition of negotiation is ‘a process by which compromise or agreement is reached while avoiding argument and dispute. In any disagreement, individuals understandably aim to achieve the best possible outcome for their position (or perhaps an organisation they represent)’.

In simple terms, I understand this to mean that I ask you for thirty and you come back with an offer of fifteen.

I then suggest that I could, subject to certain conditions, come down to twenty five. You say that this is unreasonable but with certain adjustments, you could come up with twenty.

Following a bit of push and shove, we agree on a figure somewhere in between.

In the current situation regarding the nurses, there appears to be a total lack of anything even closely resembling ‘negotiation’.

On the one side there are wealthy government ministers whose need for a health service is minimal.

It is doubtful that, with their private health schemes they would ever use the NHS.

On the other hand, there are well paid comfortably off, union leaders in a similar position.

Both sides using the NHS and its nurses to enhance their own positions.

The longer the strike lasts the longer they are in the limelight.

In the meantime, nurses are losing money and patients are suffering.

The original use of a strike was the withdrawal of labour from a manufacturer, which stopped production and the consequent loss by the company of goods or services to sell.

In the current situation, as I see it, the organisation from which the labour is being withdrawn is losing nothing.

Indeed, it could be argued that the NHS it is saving money in not having to pay nurses overtime and not carrying out very expensive operations.

So, striking is not really the best tool for the job.

Negotiation is required.

DAVID HAWKSWORTH

Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth