SENIOR doctors are ready to strike if they do not get a bigger pay rise, union chiefs have warned.
In an indicative vote by the British Medical Association, 67 per cent of consultants want walkouts, as well as 82 per cent of specialist medics.
But the turnout was at 42 per cent and 45 per cent respectively, below the 50 per cent needed in a real strike vote.
The union claims a four per cent hike would still leave them worse off compared to pay in 2009.
BMA consultant leaders Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta said: “This is a clear sign of our members’ deep concern over the erosion to their pay, pensions and the value placed in their professionalism.”
Chair of the SAS doctors, Dr Ujjwala Mohite, added: “SAS doctors are tired of being taken for granted.”
But the Department of Health said: “This shows that the vast majority of consultants and SAS doctors aren’t prepared to go on strike, and rightly so.
“Consultants have seen their pay increase by 22 per cent over the past three years, with an average salary of £145,000 a year.”
“NHS doctors now have a government that values them and wants to work with them to enhance their working conditions and rebuild our NHS.
“We’re grateful to every senior medic who has chosen NHS recovery over the BMA’s attempt to spark further unnecessary strikes.”
It comes after four senior doctor strikes in 2023.
Younger resident doctors have been in negotiations with ministers over the summer but could go on strike again soon.
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