Scottish Junior Doctors To Protest In Support of English Colleagues
Hundreds of junior doctors in Scotland are expected to take part in a demonstration to show solidarity'' with colleagues south of the border facing changes to their contract.
Junior doctors in England are to be balloted for industrial action because the UK Government wants to impose new terms and conditions on trainees' contracts from August.
The contract will reclassify doctors' normal working weeks to include Saturdays and up to 10pm every night of the week except Sunday.
Medics argue they will lose out financially as evenings and Saturdays will be paid at the standard rate rather than a higher rate. They say this amounts to pay cuts of up to 30%.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that a new contract will not be imposed on junior doctors in Scotland.
However, a demonstration will be held in Glasgow tomorrow where organisers said they expect about 500 medics to meet in George Square.
Dr Malcolm White, a junior doctor based in the city, said: I saw the tide of strong feeling about the issue, particularly from colleagues in England, and wanted a way to show support.
I suggested the idea of gathering in Glasgow to demonstrate solidarity and the response was overwhelming. Colleagues I had never met before came forward to help.''