UPDATE 02/02/16:
Junior doctors in England will take a second day of action after contract talks ended without agreement.
Action will take place from 8am on Wednesday 10 February to 8am on Thursday 11 February, with junior doctors providing only emergency care during this period.
Trusts across England have been informed of this change to the originally planned action, which would have seen the first-ever full walkout with no care provided by junior doctors.
The decision comes after talks between the BMA, NHS Employers and the Department of Health were unable to reach an agreement on the issue of unsocial hours.
Originally planned as a full walk-out, action on 10 February will instead mirror that taken on 12 January with junior doctors providing emergency care only until 8am on 11 February.
UNISON is backing strike action by junior doctors who oppose changes to their contracts being proposed by the government. Advice for our members who are working during the strike is below:
The action follows a ballot of more than 37,000 junior medics represented by the British Medical Association (BMA), who have voted unanimously in favour of taking action.
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “The result is a sign of huge dissatisfaction with NHS pay. It sends a clear message that staff will no longer tolerate the government’s approach of making savings in the health service solely by withholding pay and cutting jobs.
“Jeremy Hunt might think that cutting the extra cash that junior doctors and other NHS staff receive for working at night or weekends – when most other people are either sleeping or enjoying their leisure time – is no big deal. But pay austerity has meant that health workers now rely on unsocial hours payments just to boost their shrinking salaries and make it through the month.
“The way the row with the junior doctors has escalated should show ministers that morale across the NHS is now on a knife edge. Employees across the health service will be watching how this dispute progresses with interest.”
What should I do if I am working on the strike dates?
Our advice, similar to that of the BMA, is to work as normal, however if at any point you believe patient safety may be at risk and planned care cannot go ahead, you must have urgent discussions with your clinical manager. You should not be coerced into carrying out unsafe procedures and should always stay within your professional boundaries.
What if I am asked to take on additional responsibilities during the strike?
It is very important to remember at all times to act within your role. While you may feel pressure to take on extra duties, it is vital that during industrial action you do not work beyond your role or capability. You should not undertake work that would be done by a striking worker. If you feel you are being pressured to do this you should contact your clinical manager and UNISON rep as soon as possible.
What is the position on overtime?
Our advice is that our members should not undertake voluntary overtime if it is to cover the work of striking colleagues. The same applies to bank and agency work.
Should I cross a picket line?
Picket lines have to be peaceful to comply with the law. You can support picketing workers by joining them before or after your working day and during unpaid breaks.
Can I join the junior doctors in industrial action?
No, only those people who were included in the industrial action ballot are able to strike. If you take action then you may face disciplinary procedures by your employer and not have legal protection.
Further information from the BMA is available here.
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Support the Junior Doctors – Advice for UNISON members – UPDATE
UPDATE 02/02/16:
Junior doctors in England will take a second day of action after contract talks ended without agreement.
Action will take place from 8am on Wednesday 10 February to 8am on Thursday 11 February, with junior doctors providing only emergency care during this period.
Trusts across England have been informed of this change to the originally planned action, which would have seen the first-ever full walkout with no care provided by junior doctors.
The decision comes after talks between the BMA, NHS Employers and the Department of Health were unable to reach an agreement on the issue of unsocial hours.
Originally planned as a full walk-out, action on 10 February will instead mirror that taken on 12 January with junior doctors providing emergency care only until 8am on 11 February.
UNISON is backing strike action by junior doctors who oppose changes to their contracts being proposed by the government. Advice for our members who are working during the strike is below:
The action follows a ballot of more than 37,000 junior medics represented by the British Medical Association (BMA), who have voted unanimously in favour of taking action.
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “The result is a sign of huge dissatisfaction with NHS pay. It sends a clear message that staff will no longer tolerate the government’s approach of making savings in the health service solely by withholding pay and cutting jobs.
“Jeremy Hunt might think that cutting the extra cash that junior doctors and other NHS staff receive for working at night or weekends – when most other people are either sleeping or enjoying their leisure time – is no big deal. But pay austerity has meant that health workers now rely on unsocial hours payments just to boost their shrinking salaries and make it through the month.
“The way the row with the junior doctors has escalated should show ministers that morale across the NHS is now on a knife edge. Employees across the health service will be watching how this dispute progresses with interest.”
Our advice, similar to that of the BMA, is to work as normal, however if at any point you believe patient safety may be at risk and planned care cannot go ahead, you must have urgent discussions with your clinical manager. You should not be coerced into carrying out unsafe procedures and should always stay within your professional boundaries.
What if I am asked to take on additional responsibilities during the strike?
It is very important to remember at all times to act within your role. While you may feel pressure to take on extra duties, it is vital that during industrial action you do not work beyond your role or capability. You should not undertake work that would be done by a striking worker. If you feel you are being pressured to do this you should contact your clinical manager and UNISON rep as soon as possible.
What is the position on overtime?
Our advice is that our members should not undertake voluntary overtime if it is to cover the work of striking colleagues. The same applies to bank and agency work.
Should I cross a picket line?
Picket lines have to be peaceful to comply with the law. You can support picketing workers by joining them before or after your working day and during unpaid breaks.
Can I join the junior doctors in industrial action?
No, only those people who were included in the industrial action ballot are able to strike. If you take action then you may face disciplinary procedures by your employer and not have legal protection.
Further information from the BMA is available here.