Unite, the public sector union which encompasses the Medical Practitioners Union (MPU), announced today that 75% of its health, civil service and local authority worker members voted in favour of taking part in the ‘day of action' on 30 November. The ballots had a turnout of 31%.
As well as representing GPs, the union represents practice nurses, practice managers and practice pharmacists.
Dr Ron Singer said that the result of the ballot meant that MPU members, along with all Unite members, could now take industrial action.
Dr Singer said that he already know of two general practices which were planning to take some form of action on the 30 November.
‘I know of some practices that are intending to have emergency services only or will have a period of time (during working hours) to congregate outside the building with placards handing out leaflets.’
He added that the MPU and Unite would offer support to any of their members who decided to strike, inside the law.
Dr Singer said he would advise GPs to ‘stay within the law, make sure the relevant people are aware of the action you intend to take, if you are a sessional GP inform your contract holder, to ensure they can make emergency arrangements’.
The day of action on the 30 November is ‘going to be massive’, Dr Singer said. ‘My personal view point is that the 30th is a big event, it's not just about pensions,’ he added.
Members of the GMB, including ambulance workers, district and community nurses, and practice administration staff, also voted ‘yes’ to industrial action this week.
The union reported that over 80% of its members working in local government, the NHS and the civil service across the UK voted in favour of taking action on 30 November.
As well as representing GPs, the union represents practice nurses, practice managers and practice pharmacists.
Dr Ron Singer said that the result of the ballot meant that MPU members, along with all Unite members, could now take industrial action.
Dr Singer said that he already know of two general practices which were planning to take some form of action on the 30 November.
‘I know of some practices that are intending to have emergency services only or will have a period of time (during working hours) to congregate outside the building with placards handing out leaflets.’
He added that the MPU and Unite would offer support to any of their members who decided to strike, inside the law.
Dr Singer said he would advise GPs to ‘stay within the law, make sure the relevant people are aware of the action you intend to take, if you are a sessional GP inform your contract holder, to ensure they can make emergency arrangements’.
The day of action on the 30 November is ‘going to be massive’, Dr Singer said. ‘My personal view point is that the 30th is a big event, it's not just about pensions,’ he added.
Members of the GMB, including ambulance workers, district and community nurses, and practice administration staff, also voted ‘yes’ to industrial action this week.
The union reported that over 80% of its members working in local government, the NHS and the civil service across the UK voted in favour of taking action on 30 November.
