SoR backs industrial action by BMA as junior doctors go on strike

Society urges own members to vote for action in ongoing ballot on England's NHS pay offer

Published: 14 June 2023 Trade Union & IR

The SoR has declared that radiographic professionals stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the junior doctors as they take a stand to protect their patients and the future of the NHS.

The latest NHS strike comes as the SoR ballots its members in England on industrial action. Members took part in an indicative ballot in April and voted to reject the government’s pay offer of 5 per cent plus a non-consolidated lump sum for 2022-23.

The union is therefore in a formal trade dispute with the health secretary for England and with the individual NHS trusts that directly employ members.    

SoR Executive Director Dean Rogers said: "Radiographic professionals stand shoulder to shoulder with the junior doctors as they take a stand to protect their patients and the future of the NHS.

"Taking strike action is never an easy decision for any health professional who every day show enormous commitment to caring for their patients by working long hours for pay which has been falling behind average wages for years.

 

Junior doctors on strike

"Radiographic professionals are a vital part of the NHS team providing X-rays, MRI and CT scans, ultrasounds, breast screening and cancer therapy. Yet with one in 10 posts unfilled, one million people are waiting to see a radiographer.

"That’s why the SoR is currently running a strike ballot among 20,000 members in England to ask the government to come to the table and discuss a plan which secures a safer future for the NHS – or we’ll be joining the junior doctors on the picket line."

Cast your vote

The majority of SoR postal ballot papers reached members on 7 June. All ballots must be returned by 5pm on 28 June in order to be counted.    

Members took part in an indicative ballot in April and voted to reject the government’s pay offer of 5 per cent plus a non-consolidated lump sum for 2022-23. The union is therefore in a formal trade dispute with the health secretary and with the individual NHS trusts that directly employ members.    

The Society says the government could reduce waiting lists, save lives and save taxpayers’ money by implementing a modern workforce recruitment and retention plan. This would include a fair starting salary for radiography professionals, as well as a move to restore pay levels for current staff over several years, from the 2023-24 pay award onwards.

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