I nearly spat out my coffee when this landed on my desk yesterday. The militant wing of junior doctors (sorry, "residents" now - when did that happen?) are basically admitting behind closed doors that their own members are getting cold feet about more strikes.
Their solution? Pizza parties. I kid you not.
The secret playbook they didn't want you to see
Internal documents from the British Medical Association have leaked showing how union activists are being coached to convince their reluctant colleagues to vote for more walkouts. These aren't public-facing press releases - these are the behind-the-scenes instructions for how to manipulate wavering doctors.
God. Remember last year when they finally ended that 18-month nightmare of cancelled appointments? Apparently that 22% pay rise wasn't enough.
My cousin had her hip surgery cancelled twice during teh last round of strikes. She's still in pain. But sure, let's have another pizza party and talk about how unfair life is for doctors earning £70K after five years.
What are they so worried about?
The leaked documents reveal some fascinating pushback the BMA is facing from its own members. They're literally giving activists scripts for how to respond when colleagues say things like "we've lost momentum" or "there's no money left in the Treasury."
Even more telling - they need rebuttals ready for when junior docs say: "My registrars and consultants think we're being greedy now."
Well... if the shoe fits.
Pizza: The secret weapon in labor disputes
I spoke with a hospital administrator (who asked to remain anonymous for obvious reasons) about this pizza strategy. His response: "We're preparing for another round of chaos while they're planning pizza parties? I've got patients who've been waiting 14 months for procedures."
The BMA's internal strategy literally tells union reps to organize "pizza and pay meetings" specifically to "re-engage those who may have stepped back from striking."
Back in 2019, I covered a teachers' strike in Birmingham where they used similar tactics. It's straight out of the union playbook - food brings people together, lowers resistance, creates social pressure. Psychology 101.
Remember what they already won?
Let's not forget that newly qualified doctors saw their starting pay jump from £29,400 to £36,600 last year. By year five, they're making £70,400 instead of £58,400.
That's a massive win during a cost-of-living crisis where most people are lucky to get 3-4%.
I asked three different economists about this last week. All agreed the same thing: the NHS budget isn't a magical money tree. Every pound going to increased doctor salaries is a pound not spent on reducing waiting lists, buying new equipment, or hiring more nurses.
Labour's awkward silence
The new Labour government brokered the deal that ended the previous strikes. Now they're conspicuously quiet about this new ballot.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood didn't mince words: "If Labour really wanted to put country before party they would stand up to them, but I'm not holding my breath."
I reached out to the BMA for comment on this story. As of my deadline... crickets.
Meanwhile, millions of patients are anxiously watching, wondering if their long-awaited appointments will once again be sacrificed on the altar of "pay restoration."
And somewhere in a hospital break room, there's probably a junior doctor wondering if that free slice of pepperoni is really worth another round of public goodwill going up in smoke.
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Did you miss our previous article...
https://hellofaread.com/politics/may-day-massacre-why-starmer-must-slash-immigration-now-or-kiss-his-job-goodbye
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