Scottish doctors will vote today on strike action over pensions

DOCTORS in Scotland will today begin voting on a proposal to take further strike action over changes to their pensions.

The British Medical Association (BMA) is balloting members to determine whether doctors in Scotland are willing to break ranks with their colleagues in other parts of the UK and take part in more industrial action in the coming weeks.

Around 6,500 hospital doctors will decide if they want to take part in “stronger and more sustained action” which would see them refuse to turn up for work unless they are the providing emergency care.

If they give the action the green light, the BMA has already revealed doctors will take action on 12 December, with two further days set for 8 and 17 January.

The union has criticised the Scottish Government for failing to do more to prevent changes to the NHS pension scheme in Scotland being imposed by the Westminster government.

Dr Nikki Thompson, deputy chair of the BMA’s Scottish consultants’ committee, said: “This is a government that is talking up its opposition but failing to deliver on these words.

“With their outspoken opposition to these plans and a commitment to negotiations, ministers have raised the expectations of NHS staff. The Scottish Government says it is negotiating in good faith yet has been unable to provide clarity on the scope of these negotiations or come up with any genuine alternative to the English proposals.”

She added: “Strike action is only ever a last resort but the intransigence of this Scottish Government has left us with little option but to press ahead with a ballot for further industrial action.”

If the doctors vote in favour of action the union will announce more dates when doctors would refuse to work, the union said.

Previously, the BMA had balloted all its UK members and strikes were carried out UK-wide. Doctors in England and Wales have currently “suspended action” while they remain in talks with the UK government.

In the last ballot more doctors in Scotland voted in favour of action than in other parts of the UK and turn-out was much higher north of the Border, the BMA revealed.

Doctors are fighting reforms to their pension that would see many of them working longer before being able to retire.

Health secretary Alex Neil said: “It is disappointing the BMA in Scotland is balloting for further industrial action when they are actively involved in ongoing discussions on this issue. We remain willing to work in partnership with NHS trade unions to find a way forward on pensions issues, within the ever-tighter constraints imposed on us by Westminster.”

The result of the ballot is expected on 28 November.