Junior doctor strikes: BMA union members rally together & demand more pay at Manchester Central Convention Complex

Junior doctors in England are striking for 72 hours following a dispute over pay. Up to 47,600 junior doctors from the British Medical Association (BMA) union will walk out between June 14-17 after the government's offer of a five percent pay rise was rejected.

The union said junior doctors have suffered a loss of 26 percent pay over the last 15 years as wages have failed to keep up with inflation, and it is now demanding a 35 percent pay rise. This strike is similar to the industrial action that was seen in April, where a strike by junior doctors saw 196,000 hospital appointments and operations rescheduled.

This walkout could greatly impact routine care for patients, and it comes amid threats of further strikes throughout the summer in the government does not rethink its pay offer.

Dr Mike Greenhalgh, an orthapoedic registrar at Blackburn hospital, and deputy chair of BMA North West RJDC said: “BMA have been clear that we are going to go on strike for a minimum of three days a month until the government gives us a credible offer.

“We are more than willing to meet the government and have a serious practical discussion. No one is expecting 15 years of pay cuts to be reversed overnight, but what we need is an acknowledgment that they want to plan to reverse this pay cut with some sort of deal.”

We went down to the rally today (June 15) at Manchester Central Convention Complex during the 72-hour walkout.