UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay Monday announced he is taking legal action against upcoming strike actions organized by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Barclay will apply to the High Court to seek to declare the strike action on May 2 as unlawful for taking place outside of the six month period secured from RCN members.

Via social media, Barclay issued a copy of the letter he sent to the RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen informing her of the legal action. The letter details how National Health Service (NHS) Employers had reached out to the RCN to resolve the issue, but failed to reach an agreement to amend their strike dates. As a result, NHS Employers contacted Barclay to intervene. In the letter, Barclay claims that while the “government is wholly supportive of the right to take industrial action,” this must occur “within the law” in order to “protect patients, all NHS staff, [RCN] members and unions.”

The RCN responded to the news of the proceedings against them, stating that as they wait for results, they continue to prepare for strike action as previously planned. Cullen described the legal action as “nakedly political” and “frightening for democracy.”

The court proceedings will take place at the High Court, Royal Courts of Justice, in London, England at 10:00 AM local time on Thursday, April 27. The decision will determine if the strike action will go ahead on May 2.