Well done to all who took part in our strike action
Resident doctors turned out in force to send a strong message to the Government: doctors need fair pay.
FY1 colleagues joined us to strike for more jobs, as well as pay.
We’ve been clear with the Government that both issues must be taken together. If necessary, we will strike again in December, so watch this space.
Watch our wrap video!
Get ready to re-ballot
We’ve heard you loud and clear – doctors need jobs and pay.
That’s why, with our mandate to strike over pay running out in January, we will now be balloting all resident doctors over jobs and pay. If you are an FY1 doctor who voted for strike action over jobs and pay in September, this re-ballot includes you.
This will give us a single mandate that firmly unites all resident doctors – and shows the Government we won’t be ignored.
It does not affect our existing mandates for resident doctors in England to strike again in December, if further action is called.
Keep an eye out for our orange envelopes landing soon.
The ballot will run from 8 December to 2 February. Make sure to post yours back by 26 January at the latest to make sure your vote is counted.
Why we need you to vote YES for jobs and pay
We’re hearing more and more that, as well as eroded pay, resident doctors are facing unemployment.
This year, there were more than 30,000 doctors applying in round one of specialty training, competing for one of around 10,000 places.
While the Government was prepared to increase the number of specialty training posts over the next three years by 2,000, this is nowhere near enough to address the jobs crisis.
This is on top of the burden of huge amounts of student for resident doctors, and the fact they are paid more than a fifth less than they were in 2008.
Now, the Government is suggesting a substantive real terms pay cut for resident doctors in 2026 as part of their DDRB submission.
We need both jobs and pay addressed. We need to see sufficient progress that moves us towards a viable deal.
We also need to see UK medical graduates prioritised for training posts, all the while ensuring IMGs who are currently working in the UK are protected.
To help us achieve that, we need you to vote YES for jobs and pay.
Find out more about the specialty training crisis.
Why were non-FY1s not included in the first ballot on jobs and pay?
In September, we balloted only first-year foundation doctors over jobs, as well as pay, because they were group set to be most heavily impacted by the problem in coming years.
Since then, we’ve heard from members across all grades impacted by this issue, and UKRDC has voted to include all residents in future ballots on it.
When can I expect my ballot?
It should arrive by Friday 12 December, but please allow seven days before requesting a replacement ballot paper.
How do I request a replacement ballot paper?
The replacement form will be online from Monday 15 December.
What is the latest date I can join the BMA to take part in this ballot?
Please join by Monday 19 January.
What is the latest date I can post my ballot?
We recommend ballot papers are posted back by Monday 26 January.
What is the last day I can request a replacement ballot paper?
Midday on Monday 19 January.
Government proposes a substantive pay cut in in 2026: enough is enough
The Government’s evidence to the doctors’ pay review body, the DDRB, amounts to substantive pay cut.
This is on top of resident pay already being down by more than a fifth compared to 2008.
Resident doctors won’t back down until the Government wakes up to the scale of the crisis over pay and lack of specialty training places.
A brief history of our campaign
After 11 rounds of historic strike action, we reached a deal with Government in September 2024 that started a journey towards pay restoration.
But the deal with Government was just the first step.
Campaign resources
Download campaign materials.
