Junior Doctors’ Strike for Pay Increase
In an effort to end their ongoing pay dispute with the government, junior doctors in England will go on strike for five days in the run-up to the election. The British Medical Association (BMA) members will stage a walkout starting at 07:00 BST on June 27, one week before the election day.
Reasons for the Strike
- The union took action due to the lack of convincing offers since negotiations began in mid-May.
- The BMA seeks a 35% pay increase to compensate for 15 years of wage hikes below inflation.
- Last year, discussions including a 3% wage increase were abandoned by the BMA.
Statements from BMA Representatives
BMA junior doctors committee co-chairs, Dr. Robert Laurenson and Dr. Vivek Trivedi, emphasized the need for a credible pay offer from the government. They have been urging Rishi Sunak to address the pay disparity junior doctors have faced over the past 15 years.
NHS Waiting List Concerns
Various metrics are used to assess NHS waiting lists in England, with over 300,000 people waiting for more than 18 weeks, and around 6.3 million people on the overall waiting list. The shadow health secretary expressed concerns about the future of NHS services if the current situation persists.
