Hundreds of BMA staff vote to take strike action

Hundreds of staff employed by the British Medical Association (BMA) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a bid to secure fairer pay after years of erosion.

GMB Union, which represents the workers involved, recorded 96 per cent of the vote in favour of a walk out on an 80 per cent turnout.

Strike action will take place for 48 hours, from 00.01 Friday 27^th - 23.59 Saturday 28^th March. 

Since 2012, BMA staff have suffered pay erosion of nearly 17 per cent due to of years of sub-inflationary pay awards.

GMB took the decision to ballot staff after pay talks at ACAS failed, following unsatisfactory offers from the BMA. 

Gavin Davies, GMB Senior Organiser, said,

"This ballot result reflects the strength of feeling inside the BMA.

"Staff are angry and disappointed that the pay deal offered doesn't match inflation and doesn't begin to address the real terms pay cut they've experienced.

"BMA staff have tirelessly supported resident doctors in their fight for improved pay.

"Now it's their turn to demand a fair pay deal." 

A GMB member working for the BMA said,

“Staff at BMA appreciate the many messages of support and solidarity from BMA members in our campaign for fair pay.

"We just want to focus on supporting BMA members in their campaigns.

"We hope BMA management can come to the table with a reasonable offer that recognises our efforts and does not represent another year of real terms pay cuts.”