England Resident Doctors Suspend Monday Strike After Eleventh-Hour Government Pay Offer
Resident doctors in England have called off their planned strike, which was scheduled to commence on Monday, following a last-minute offer from the government. The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed the new proposal would be put to its membership for a vote.
The industrial action, initially set to run from 07:00 BST on Monday, 15 June, until 06:59 Friday, 19 June, would have marked the sixteenth walkout in the ongoing dispute concerning doctors’ remuneration.
Health Secretary James Murray described the new offer as a "good deal for resident doctors" and an opportunity "to draw a line under the damaging disputes of recent years." Murray stated that an increased pay offer for the current year was unaffordable, adding that the BMA had acknowledged this, facilitating progress in areas such as training places and working conditions.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA's resident doctors committee, reiterated the union’s consistent position that strikes could be averted if an appropriate offer was presented to members. He criticised the timing, noting, "This should not have been left to the last moment, but we hold up our end of the bargain when the government shifts its position."
The BMA stated the offer encompasses "jobs, pay and progression." Resident doctors have received pay increments amounting to 33% over the past four years, including a 3.5% increase this year. Starting salaries are now just over £40,000, with senior resident doctors earning £76,500 in basic pay, with additional earnings possible for unsocial hours. However, the BMA maintains that, accounting for inflation, their members are paid a fifth less than they were in 2008.
