Doctors' union which went on strike accused of underpaying its own staff
Doctors' union which went on strike accused of underpaying its own staff
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A doctors’ union which went on repeated strikes over pay could face its own walk-out after being accused of under-paying some of its staff. Around 40 advisors at the British Medical Association (BMA), the doctors’ trade union, have threatened a strike in a row over pay after they were brought in-house.
The affected workers have accused the union of “forgetting its principles”, pointing out that the BMA staged repeated strikes over pay for junior doctors in the NHS until a deal was agreed by ministers in September. But the BMA says the staff members have seen “substantial” pay increases and increased benefits as a result of being brought in-house.
The dispute centres around 40 advisors at the union. According to GMB, which is representing them, the BMA is refusing to recognise their external length of service, meaning they are being placed on lower salary bands. But the BMA says the affected staff were given increases of up to 15 per cent by transferring over to the union.
GMB said it had lodged a formal dispute with the BMA, and that 91% of its membership had pledged support for a strike if necessary in an indicative ballot. Gavin Davies, a senior organiser at GMB, said: “The BMA proudly declares itself a trade union, but it seems to have forgotten its principles when dealing with its staff.
“We are calling on BMA management to commit to paying their staff fairly and recognising their years of dedication to the union. “These workers support members every day in taking their employers to task but instead of recognising their valuable work, the BMA is refusing to reward their years of service.
