Are junior doctors, nurses or train drivers paid when on strike? 

Tens of thousands of junior doctors have walked out of hospitals in England for the third time this year on a 72-hour strike, with the NHS expecting “enormous disruption” to almost all routine or pre-planned care.

There’s likely to be more strikes on the horizon from train drivers, too, who have voted to continue strike action for the next six months. Announcing the results of the strike ballot, Aslef said the yes vote showed its members are “in it for the long haul”.

And despite the government recently reaching a pay deal with one million health workers, this was rejected by nurses who are currently voting on whether they want to continue strike action for more. 

Seeing their wages devalued by high inflation is precisely why nurses, train drivers and junior doctors have participated in strike action, but industrial action can take a huge financial toll on those who take part. 

By going on strike, any employee is breaking their contract with their employer which entitles them to payment for a day or shift of work. This means that employers can deduct pay from their employees’ wages for the time they spend on the picket line. So if someone goes on strike for one week, they can expect to lose a week’s pay.

However, some unions offer their members who are on strike an allowance to help cover their daily costs – sometimes referred to as strike pay. Most unions have hardship funds to support their members who suffer a particularly large financial hit by participating in industrial action. 

Each union offers their members different forms of financial support during strikes. Here’s what junior doctors, nurses and train drivers can expect to receive when going on strike. 

• 6 common myths about strike action, from salaries to public support
• How to join a union
• ‘No doctor wants this’: Junior doctors explain why they’re on strike

Are junior doctors paid while on strike? 

Junior doctors do not receive any financial support from the British Medical Association (BMA) , the union that represents them. The BMA encourages those planning to take part in strike action to save money in advance to get them through the sometimes lengthy periods of strike action. 

Are nurses paid while on strike? 

Unlike junior doctors, striking nurses can expect to receive strike pay from their union the Royal College of Nurses. The RCN increased strike pay for nurses from £50 to £80 a day in February, rising to £120 a day if they have taken four or more days of strike action.

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Nurses and junior doctors earn roughly similar pay during their careers, with the average nurse starting on £27,000 and earning on average £37,000, according to government figures. Junior doctors are paid £29,384 to £34,012 per year, moving up to £40,257 in year three. The key difference, however, is that unless they leave the profession, junior doctors will go on to become trained doctors, speciality doctors or even consultants, earning between £50,000 to £150,000 a year, depending on their specialty and level of experience.

Are train drivers paid while on strike? 

Striking train drivers have not received any strike pay from their union Aslef for the recent action. 

“Since June last year when we first balloted for action, our members have participated in 11 one-day strikes,”  Keith Richmond, Aslef press officer confirmed to the Big Issue. 

“Each time the members go on strike they lose a day’s wages.”

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Transport union the RMT, which currently has a mandate for strike action but has not announced any dates in the coming months, also doesn’t pay strike pay. The union offers a hardship fund for members to apply to if taking part in the strikes would severely impact their finance.

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