England’s consultants announce November strike over pay, hours and pensions
Original report: date unavailable
Consultant doctors in England plan a 48-hour walkout from 25 November, providing emergency cover only. The BMA is seeking changes to pay, working hours and pensions, while the government says industrial action would increase pressure on the health service.
Consultant doctors in England will begin a 48-hour strike at 06:59 GMT on 25 November, according to BBC News. Emergency care will remain staffed under Christmas Day arrangements, with routine and planned services expected to face significant disruption. The announcement follows a month of government talks and a July strike ballot among British Medical Association members.
Consultants received a 3.5% pay rise this year, but the BMA says inflation-adjusted pay has fallen by a quarter over 17 years. It also seeks a 35-hour standard week, higher out-of-hours payments and pension flexibility. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper described the discussions as constructive and criticised the decision to announce strike dates.
The ballot figures show different measures of support: 76% of participating BMA consultants backed action, with just over half of eligible members voting. The government says this amounts to around one in five NHS consultants in England, because nearly half are outside the union. Consultants last struck in England in 2023.
Source
BBC News
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