Joint trade union protocol on industrial action in the NHS

Dear members

You will be aware that the junior doctors in the BMA are taking further industrial action on 10th February 2016 arising from their dispute with Jeremy Hunt and his imposition of contractual changes.

The protocol (download here or see below) has been agreed by NHS unions to provide support for the juniors’ industrial action. Please ensure that colleagues are made aware of this and supportive action is co-ordinated with other trade union members in your workplace.

Barrie Brown
Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe
National Officers Health

NHS Staff Council Joint Trade Union Protocol on Industrial Action in the NHS

The BMA has announced dates for industrial action by junior doctors as follows;

Full withdrawal of labour – from 8 am to 5 pm Wednesday 10 February 2016

The trade unions in the NHS who are not involved in this industrial action encourage their members not to take any action to undermine the lawful industrial action of the BMA junior doctors.

They confirm that NHS staff who work under a regulatory code should ensure that they fulfil those requirements at all times

NHS unions not involved in the BMA’s action:

Respect the right of other unions to take lawful industrial action and will not criticise or condemn the trade unions involved in industrial action
Encourage their members to show support for the industrial action, which could include joining protests outside of their working hours, using social media or local press to express their support etc
Give strong advice to their members that they should continue with their normal duties but should not take on any non-contractual additional responsibilities being given to them directly as a result of the industrial action. They should not be expected to be moved from their normal duties or provide cover for staff taking industrial action or take on overtime or additional shifts to make up for the industrial action of other staff.

Joint trade union protocol on industrial action in the NHS