LONDON, July 17 (Reuters) - Senior doctors in England will hold two days of strikes in August, their union the British Medical Association (BMA) said on Monday, dismissing a 6% pay rise announced by government last week as a "savage" real-terms wage cut.
Sunak last week described recent public sector pay increases as a final settlement, warning they would cost billions, require budget cuts elsewhere, and would not be subject to further negotiation.
While teaching unions paused strikes and recommended accepting their deal, doctors' unions were unimpressed after what they say have been years of pay erosion for their members.
"The government has once again imposed a savage real terms pay cut on consultants," said Vishal Sharma, the BMA's consultants committee chair.
This week's strikes will be the first by consultants in the current pay dispute and are expected to put the NHS under serious strain.
Persons:
Rishi Sunak's, Vishal Sharma, William James, David Holmes
Organizations:
British Medical Association, BMA, National Health Service, Thomson
Locations:
England, Sunak