Last year, we became aware of a system-wide collaborative planning to drive down rates for bank and locum work across our South East region.
In July, BMA South East wrote to every ICB and Trust across the region. We have met with the collaborative leads, held a survey of members across the South East, and written to all our members to outline the issues and survey results.
We were thrilled with the level of engagement in our survey which found that 85% of respondents are willing to withhold all extra-contractual work in support of our campaign.
About our campaign
There is a significant disparity in the rates paid for extra-contractual work, indicating that many colleagues might be receiving far less than you deserve.
We want to secure fair pay for all grades of doctors undertaking extra work across the region. Together, we can make a difference.
Our Goal
To force employers to significantly increase the bank and extra-contractual rates for all grades of doctors across the South East.
Our Leverage
By uniting as one, we hold the power to collectively withdraw from paid extra work beyond our contracts. Together, we can apply the pressure needed to negotiate meaningful pay increases across all Trusts, specialties and grades.
How you can get involved
Join the fight for fair pay by committing to our collective power. We are calling on members to work together.
We understand that it can be difficult to negotiate locum rates as an individual, and doctors tend to have more success calling for rate increases when they negotiate as a collective. This collective can be small (such as all the locums in your department), or large (across your specialty, workplace or your region).
Get involved locally
If this issue is important to you, you may be interested in building a local locum rates campaign. We recommend you:
- contact your BMA LNC chair or local BMA LNC representative to let them know
- ask them to help you campaign collectively with other doctors on this and to raise with your management.
We’ve done this before, both nationally and at local hospitals, with great outcomes. Let’s do it again across the region.
If you accept extra-contractual work
For 2025 we are urging individuals to negotiate a fair rate for your extra-contractual work. Please bear these points in mind when accepting any extra contractual work this year:
- The cost of living is high, and in most cases, rates have been frozen for years.
- This work is 100% voluntary and over and above your 40-hour working-week.
- There is no GMC consequence to saying no to additional work at low rates and no reason for guilt – you work hard and are entitled to fair pay for skilled work.
- Accepting low rates for this work reduces our negotiating hand and devalues this work.
Join our South East rates webinar
Date: Tuesday, 11th February 2025
Time: 18:30 - 20:00
Location: MS Teams
Join us for an essential event addressing the pressing issue of extra-contractual rates. Learn why extra-contractual rates matter; hear from key speakers like Mike Henley, UK CC Deputy Chair, and Lynne Campbell, UHSx LNC Chair, and discover how you can advocate for fair pay.
This is your chance to make a difference and drive positive change in your workplace and across the region.
Now is the time to Act
- Start preparing – save money now in case we need to withhold extra work for a period of time.
- Read about how organising and local activism has already achieved success in one South East trust.
- See our latest update letter for Consultant and SAS members or our rates campaign update letter to residents.
- Complete the BMA SE rates survey, if you haven’t already done so, to allow our local reps to have your views.
- Encourage colleagues to register as a South East rates activist on this campaign and be linked in with your LNC. Or contact your BMA LNC chair if you want to pursue a more proactive coordinated campaign of action with a group of colleagues in your department.
- Use our reporting portal to log when you are paid any rates above ‘published’ Trust rates as a result of any departmental activism.
- Value your time – do not carry out extra-contractual work if you are not being properly remunerated. Low fill rates for this type of work helps us make the case that current rates are inadequate.
- Tell your departmental/divisional leads that these rates need to increase in line with inflation.
- Support each other – there is no obligation to carry out extra work over and above your contract if the pay rate is inadequate. It is easier to refuse or register dissatisfaction as a group.
- Join your local BMA WhatsApp groups to discuss this proposal and plan a collective response.
Get in touch
To contact us for more information, or to share your thoughts, email Hugh Townsend, Head of BMA South East.