too high. Since 1977 the RCN has been registered as a trade union. 21st century In 2018, after a pay agreement that was not clearly explained to the membership was agreed, the Chief Executive and General Secretary Janet Davies resigned and Dame Donna Kinnair was appointed in an acting capacity. She was confirmed in the role in April 2019. A motion of no confidence in the RCN Council was called shortly afterwards and passed in September 2018 with 78% of members' votes, but only 3.7% of the membership voted. As well as the Chief Executive and General Secretary, the Director of Member Relations had previously resigned. Twelve of the 17 council members resigned, ten of them standing for re-election in the subsequent election. In 2019, the RCN's first strike—limited to Northern Ireland, over staffing and pay issues—took place. In May 2019, the Royal College of Nursing voted to back the decriminalisation of prostitution. In April 2021, Pat Cullen started acting as General Secretary & Chief Executive, and was appointed as interim General Secretary & Chief Executive in July 2021. In August 2021, the RCN cancelled its annual meeting of members in Liverpool following allegations of sexual harassment and said the 2021 Congress would now be held virtually in order to safeguard attendees. In 2022, the RCN issued a strike ballot over pay, held separately across NHS trusts and boards. Its members have gone on strike as part of the 2022–2023 National Health Service strikes. The RCN commented that from 2010 (the start of the government's austerity programme) to 2022, pay for nurses had fallen by 20 percent. The government offered a five percent pay rise to most Agenda for Change thresholds; the RCN demanded a pay rise of retail price index inflation plus five percent. Around 60 percent of NHS workplaces in England reached the turnout necessary to legally strike. Outside of Scotland—where the government began negotiations over its 7.5 percent offer—strikes took place on 15 December and 20 December 2022. In England, further strikes took place from 18–19 January 2023. In England and Wales, the next strikes are set to occur from 6–7 February 2023. Offices The headquarters are at 20 Cavendish Square, London, a Grade II listed building RCN libraries The RCN Library claims to be Europe's largest nursing-specific collection. The RCN's Library in London, which is now known as the UK Library, was founded in 1921, and