Zarah ChoudharyStaff are protesting outside the BMA central London office, as a dispute about pay and recognition of service escalates.
The protest, organised by GMB Union, was sparked by the BMA’s decision to insource its employment and support staff advisers, and treat them as day one employees.
This move has resulted in the staff in question – who are the first port of call for BMA members seeking help – being placed on the lowest pay band for their grade.
GMB members have rejected an offer from the BMA – worth around £400 in-year before tax – because it did not resolve the issue at the centre of this dispute.
A recent consultative ballot of affected members saw 91% indicate their willingness to strike if necessary.
Gavin Davies, senior organiser at GMB, said: “We are disappointed that the BMA continues to undervalue the service of our members.
“We would expect better from a fellow union. These staff have worked tirelessly on behalf of BMA members.
“All we are asking is for the BMA to do the right thing and recognise their years of service.”
A member at GMB said: “The BMA employed us through an outsourcer for years. We were all aware during that time that we were being paid a fraction of the amount that direct employees of the BMA were.
“We finally thought we were going to be treated equally when we were brought inhouse but that was far from the truth.
“I have been made to feel totally undervalued and inferior to my BMA colleagues.
“While we proudly fight to improve doctors pay and conditions, it is incredibly hypocritical for the BMA to deny us the same entitlements when we raise our voices for ourselves.”
A BMA spokesperson said: “We have worked closely with the GMB to find a way ahead in this dispute, raised on behalf of 44 colleagues, whilst balancing our obligations to all our 570 staff at the BMA.
“We are disappointed that, despite the constructive nature of the process, the GMB has rejected our proposals for resolving the dispute.
“The offer made would have meant the 44 staff involved would have received their one year work anniversary uplift in pay brought forward by some seven months.
“This would have provided them with a total growth in pay for a full-time equivalent (based on 40 hours per week) of up to 41.9% since transfer.
“Bringing this payment forward would also enable earlier growth in pension contributions.”
They added: “This proposal was in addition to several other offers of improvements to their terms and conditions since transfer, including an extra 14 days of leave and a doubling of pension contributions.
“We have met and gone above and beyond our TUPE obligations during the transfer of these colleagues and we remain committed to supporting fair and beneficial terms for all colleagues at the BMA.
“We will now be moving to ACAS mediated discussions with the GMB and will be fully engaging in the process.”
