27.02.12
Empty threats?
How effective can balloting for industrial action short of a strike be?
The BMA is considering various options to demonstrate their opposition to the Government’s planned pension reforms, but has ruled out a strike in order to protect their patients.
But the whole point of a strike is that it demonstrates just how necessary the workers taking part are to the organisation as a whole. If their options do not disrupt services, then the impact of this action is negligible.
In the long-term, if health professionals believe that these pension changes will affect their ability to provide high quality care to patients, then the risk of patient harm is unavoidable.
To be taken seriously, the threat they pose must be significantly serious.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]