Junior doctors join national five-day strike

MANCHESTER MEDICS WALK OUT AGAIN OVER RES PAY AS LABOUR PLEDGE TALKS IF ELECTION WON

- JOHN SCHEERHOUT

JUNIOR doctors at Manchester Royal Infirmary have joined strike action up and down the country, amid warnings of even more industrial action during the summer.

Yesterday, around 30 medics waving placards outside the hospital were greeted by tooting horns and shouts of support from passing motorists.

They were part of a five-day strike – their 11th in 20 months – which is due to conclude on Tuesday, two days before the general election.

The current government has been warned there could be more walkouts during the summer unless it progresses talks in a ‘timely manner’.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said it stands ready to talk and the union has already had some discussions with the Labour Party.

Junior doctors said Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has promised talks on July 5 if the party wins the general election.