27.02.12
BMA ballots doctors for industrial action
Doctors were balloted on industrial action short of a strike after the Government has failed to return to talks on NHS pensions, the British Medical Association (BMA) announced on Saturday.
In 2008, the NHS underwent significant pension reform and is therefore already sustainable to taxpayers, the BMA suggests. The organisation argues that doctors working until they are 68 could be dangerous and could mean younger doctors would pay over £200,000 in lifetime contributions.
Chairman of BMA Council Dr Hamish Meldrum said: “Doctors are not asking for special treatment – quite the opposite. Just four years ago, NHS staff agreed to major reform of the NHS pension scheme to make it fair, affordable and sustainable. Now the Government wants to go back on that deal.
“With no signs of movement, we simply cannot ignore this strength of feeling by medical staff. We therefore have no other option but to ballot on industrial action.”
He added that industrial action would not include strike action, in order to prevent harm and disruption for patients.
Dr Paul Darragh, chairman of the BMA in Northern Ireland, commented: “Government must understand that it is unacceptable to impose change to public sector pension schemes without negotiation and agreement.
“Today’s decision sends a strong signal to the ministers that they must re-open talks with the BMA and other trade unions, and inNorthern Ireland this is an opportunity for the Executive to consider alternatives to these proposed changes.”
Dr Brian Keighley, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, added: “The decision to ballot doctors on industrial action is a reflection of the depth of anger that doctors feel about the planned changes to the NHS pension scheme. These reforms are unnecessary and unfair.”
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