07-25-2025, 12:22 PM
It’s very rare that I find myself struggling to justify industrial action.
And I am fully aware that I myself struck three times during my service.
But after Labour agreeing a 22% rise last year then backing this up with a further 5.8% this year I am struggling to fully support the doctors, I am not so much opposed to their strike, simply trying to justify it in these trying times for our NHS. Yes like the rest of the public sector their salaries have fallen against those paid in 2008. But can we realistically expect Labour to increase salaries in line with rates in 2008 for not only the doctors but the whole public sector.
Maybe I am being hypocritical here, and if some feel I am then I can only apologise.
But I reckon Labour have went a far as is possible in the current financial climate.
Some would argue Labour have already went too far, I don’t reckon they have.
Do I think what they want, £22 an hour for a resident doctor is too much, no I don’t.
But if the government cave in here the floodgates could open, and I fear the consequences.
Of course I don’t agree with what has went on since 2008, but we cannot put back the clock.
Hopefully one day workers will recover pay rates comparable to what was paid in 2008, but that’s simply not possible without further damaging our struggling economy. And the consequences of this damage will affect us all, including the doctors.
And I am fully aware that I myself struck three times during my service.
But after Labour agreeing a 22% rise last year then backing this up with a further 5.8% this year I am struggling to fully support the doctors, I am not so much opposed to their strike, simply trying to justify it in these trying times for our NHS. Yes like the rest of the public sector their salaries have fallen against those paid in 2008. But can we realistically expect Labour to increase salaries in line with rates in 2008 for not only the doctors but the whole public sector.
Maybe I am being hypocritical here, and if some feel I am then I can only apologise.
But I reckon Labour have went a far as is possible in the current financial climate.
Some would argue Labour have already went too far, I don’t reckon they have.
Do I think what they want, £22 an hour for a resident doctor is too much, no I don’t.
But if the government cave in here the floodgates could open, and I fear the consequences.
Of course I don’t agree with what has went on since 2008, but we cannot put back the clock.
Hopefully one day workers will recover pay rates comparable to what was paid in 2008, but that’s simply not possible without further damaging our struggling economy. And the consequences of this damage will affect us all, including the doctors.
We all have opinions, thank god they are not all the same, or there would be no debate.