MILITANT junior doctors have secretly admitted some members are reluctant to go back on strike.
And they are telling activists to host “pizza” parties to drum up support for a fresh round of walkouts.
Junior doctors take part in a rally outside Downing Street in June 2024[/caption]
Junior doctors join a picket line in February last year[/caption]
Junior doctors take part in a rally outside Downing Street in June 2024[/caption]
Junior doctors, now called residents, are set to strike again despite a 22 per cent pay rise last year.
British Medical Association chiefs will ballot thousands of their members later this month.
But a document for activists walking around wards gives them tips on how to persuade reluctant colleagues to strike.
It includes combating comments like: “We have lost momentum after the last strikes.”
And: “There is no money in the Treasury for more of anything in the UK, we shouldn’t be asking for more.”
Another says: “My registrars and consultants are anti-strike. They think the first strikes were good but now we’re being greedy.”
A separate document outlining their strategy tells union reps to run events like “pizza and pay meetings, to re-engage those who may have stepped back from striking”.
Mike Wood, shadow Cabinet Office minister, said: “If Labour really wanted to put country before party they would stand up to them, but I’m not holding my breath.”
A deal with the new Labour Government last year ended 18 months of strike misery which led to millions of cancelled appointments.
Newly qualified doctors saw their pay increase from £29,400 to £36,600 in the first year and from £58,400 to £70,400 in the fifth year.
The BMA were approached for comment.