Thousands of junior doctors in England are gearing up for another five-day strike later this month, escalating their long-standing pay dispute with the British government. The British Medical Association (BMA), representing these doctors, announced on Friday that the government had failed to meet the deadline for an improved pay offer, prompting the strike from Feb. 24 to Feb. 28.
Despite nine previous strikes in the past year, and a record-breaking six-day strike last month, the junior doctors remain firm in their demands. The BMA’s junior doctors committee co-chairs, Dr. Robert Laurenson and Dr. Vivek Trivedi, stated, “We remain willing to carry on talking and to cancel the forthcoming strikes if significant progress is made and a credible offer is put forward.”
The pay dispute revolves around the junior doctors’ claim that newly qualified doctors earn £15.53 ($19.37) an hour, considerably less than the UK minimum wage. The BMA has requested a 35% “pay restoration” but expressed a willingness to negotiate. However, the Conservative government insists on no negotiations unless the union calls off the strike.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins defended the government’s position, emphasizing a prior pay increase and urging the junior doctors to cancel their action. The strikes have led to senior doctors and medics covering emergency services, critical care, and maternity services, resulting in thousands of canceled appointments and operations.
The ongoing strikes contribute to the mounting pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), exacerbating a backlog that is expected to be a significant issue in the upcoming general election. The healthcare sector in the UK has experienced a series of strikes as staff seeks pay rises amid the rising cost of living.
While other NHS groups have reached pay deals with the government, the union representing junior doctors has held out, and negotiations broke down late last year. As the strike approaches, the junior doctors’ last on the current mandate, the government attempts to shift blame onto them, while the opposition Labour Party accuses Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of hindering progress.
Labour’s health spokesman, Wes Streeting, asserted, “He bears responsibility for the canceled operations and appointments desperate patients will face once again. This can’t go on. Patients are desperate and staff are worn out.” The looming strike heightens concerns over the healthcare system’s stability, turning it into a pivotal issue in the upcoming UK election.