Junior doctors in Wales to strike over pay, union announces
Junior doctors in Wales have announced they will go on strike in the New Year.
The 72-hour walkout will take place from 15 January.
Members of the British Medical Association say their salaries have been cut by nearly a third in real terms since 2008/9.
Of the 65% of members who voted on whether or not to take industrial action, 98% supported the strikes.
More than 3,000 doctors could potentially walk out calling for a "fairer deal for their service".
The union says the Welsh government offered a below-inflation pay offer of 5% in August.
Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu and Dr Peter Fahey, co-chairs of BMA Cymru Wales's junior doctors committee, said the result showed the "strength of feeling" among its members.
"We are frustrated, in despair and angry," they said.
"We aren't asking for a pay rise - we are asking for our pay to be restored in line with inflation back to 2008 levels, when we began to receive pay cuts in real terms.
"Pay needs to be fair and competitive with other healthcare systems across the world to retain and recruit doctors and NHS staff to provide much-needed care."
Dr Babs-Osibodu and Dr Fahey said it was "not a decision that had been made lightly" but doctors were "now looking to leave Wales" for better pay.
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A Welsh government spokesperson said the announcement was "disappointing" but it understood their strength of feeling.
"While we wish to address their pay restoration ambitions, our offer is at the limits of the finances available to us and reflects the position reached with the other health unions for this year," they said.
"Without additional funding from the UK government, we are not in a position to currently offer any more."
Shadow health minister, Russell George, said it was "clear that the Labour government has not done enough to avert the strikes".
"Patients in Wales are already suffering from significant waiting times for treatment, in A&E and for ambulances," the Welsh Conservative added.
"I would suggest to Labour ministers in the Senedd that they park their pet projects and spend the full Barnett consequential on the health budget, as for every £1 spent in England, Wales receives £1.20, yet Labour only spend £1.05 on the health service here in Wales."
