The British Medical Association has confirmed that junior doctors will once again go on four days of strike action in the next month.
After requesting a 35% wage hike, thousands of junior physicians went on strike earlier this month.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who met with BMA leaders yesterday, claimed the wage claim is “unaffordable.”
On April 11 and April 15, they will be on strike.
A agreement supported by unions and offered to other NHS employees includes a 5% salary increase in April and a one-time payment of at least £1,655.
This is in addition to the raise in wages they received last year of 4.75%.
Nurses, ambulance staff, physios and other workers are being asked to vote on whether to accept that deal.
The three biggest health unions – the Royal College of Nursing, Unison and the GMB – have all recommended their members accept it.
But the BMA has insisted only a 35% increase will do to make up for 15 years of below-inflation rises.
Dr Robert Laurenson, who co-chairs the BMA’s junior doctor committee, said: ‘It is with disappointment and great frustration that we must announce this new industrial action.
‘The government has dragged its feet at every opportunity.
‘It has not presented any credible offer and is refusing to accept that there is any case for pay restoration, describing our central ask as ‘unrealistic’ and ‘unreasonable’.