Medical professionals, specifically resident doctors, are commencing a voting process regarding potential further industrial action due to their dissatisfaction with the proposed salary increase offer.
Resident doctors in England commence a ballot today on a possible renewed round of industrial action over the government's pay rise proposal. The decision follows last week's announcement that most doctors would receive a four percent increase, according to the latest review of public sector pay.
The British Medical Association (BMA) criticized the proposal, stating that it does not adequately compensate for past pay freezes. The organization confirmed that resident doctors in England would begin receiving ballots for industrial action from today. The voting process will conclude on July 7, and if doctors vote in favor of action, a mandate will be in effect from July to January next year.
A spokesperson for the BMA's Resident Doctors Committee urged doctors to cast their ballots in favor of strike action. They emphasized that real-terms pay for resident doctors has declined by 23% since 2008, and they emphasize the need for their votes to address this long-standing issue.
In the past 16 years, resident doctors represented by the BMA have taken industrial action 11 times, demonstrating ongoing dissatisfaction with their compensation.
Additional Information:
- The promised pay rise will amount to an extra £750 for resident doctors, on top of a 4% increase for most doctors. However, the BMA argues that this amount does not sufficiently restore historical pay losses.
- If the proposed industrial action is ratified by a majority of voting doctors, a mandate for strike action would be in effect from July to January 2024.
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The British Medical Association (BMA) expressed concerns over the proposed pay rise for resident doctors, stating that it does not adequately address historical pay losses and mental health well-being in the workplace-wellness sector. In the light of this, the organization is encouraging resident doctors to participate in the ballot for potential industrial action, with the aim of advocating for improved health-and-wellness and mental health benefits.
