Junior docs in England have voted overwhelmingly to strike over pay, the British Medical Association (BMA) has stated.
They are planning a “full 72-hour walkout in March”.
More than 98% voted in favour of placing.
In a press release, the BMA stated: “The results are in and members have delivered a huge mandate – with the highest-ever number of junior doctors voting for strike action and a record turnout. A huge thank you to all of those who voted.”
Turnout stood at round 77.5%, with nearly 37,000 junior docs out of round 47,700 of those that are eligible participating within the poll.
The strike dates haven’t but been confirmed.
It comes as driving check examiners additionally voted to strike right now.
Read extra: Who is taking industrial motion in 2023 and when?
Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay stated it was “deeply disappointing” that junior docs voted to strike.
“As part of a multi-year deal we agreed with the BMA, junior doctors pay has increased by a cumulative 8.2% since 2019/20. We also introduced a higher pay band for the most experienced staff and increased rates for night shifts,” he stated.
“I’ve met with the BMA and other medical unions to discuss what is fair and affordable, as well as wider concerns around conditions and workload. I want to continue discussing how we can make the make the NHS a better place to work for all.”
But the BMA says that junior docs have “no option but to take action”.
“While workload and waiting lists are at record highs, junior doctors’ pay has been cut by more than a quarter since 2008,” the BMA stated in a press release.
“A crippling cost-of-living crisis, burnout and well below inflation pay rises risk driving hard working doctors out of their profession at a time when we need them more than ever.
Read more: Thousands of ambulance workers go on strike today
“To shield the NHS, the Government should have interaction and tackle docs’ considerations. But to date, they’ve refused to fulfill with us.
“This has left doctors with no other option but to vote on whether to take industrial action. If junior doctors are forced out of the NHS because of poor pay and conditions, the services we all rely on to look after our loved ones will suffer.”
Driving check examiners
Driving check examiners additionally introduced ten days of strike motion throughout England, Scotland and Wales on Monday.
More than 1,600 members employed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will maintain rolling days of commercial motion from 6 to twenty-eight March.
The strikes are the newest escalation within the Public and Commercial Services Union’s marketing campaign over pay, pensions and jobs.
The union’s normal secretary, Mark Serwotka, stated: “The Government must put forward concrete proposals to resolve this dispute.
“Ministers can select to resolve this dispute by placing cash on the desk.”
Source: information.sky.com”