Locum Doctors Association (LDA) - Members

LDA Newsletter :November 2001 -

Inside ths issue

	LETTER TO BMA'S JDC

	SHOULD LDA BE A TRADE UNION

	LOCUM COFFEE

	LDA'S ONGOING WORK

	SUBSCRIPTION RATES

JDC TRIES TO BLUFF LOCUMS ON PAY DEAL

The Junior Doctors Committee of the BMA negotiated a massive payout for juniors but left locums on the same old scale. Their reason, “Locums can ask to be paid for two shifts instead of a rota (paid less than the band actually worked)”. This is impractical as locums would be signed on to work the longer hours at the recommended pay rate, and any subsequent attempt to change a rota to two shifts for more pay would on only result in an unpleasant and unsuccessful dispute. The JDC is implicitly telling locums to fight on their own or do more work for less pay. Who do the JDC repreent?

This, in contracts to JDC’s efforts for flexible trainees is clear locum discrimination. Is this the conduct of a trade union?

LETTER TO JDC

Shehnaz Somjee wrote to the JDC on 20th September as an ex-JDC member expressing her concerns about the JDC’s conduct and attitude towards hospital locums. She also raised concerns about a discriminatory and monopoly comment made by Dr Yuen Simms a deputy JDC chairman at a regional meeting. Dr Simms was opposed to the DOH consulting other organisations about SHO modernisation. He apparently wanted only the JDC to be consulted - no doubt to facilitate the JDC’s abuse of democracy to “represent” other doctors like us. The LDA was one of the other organisations consulted by the DOH.

The letter deplores such behaviour. To date we have not had a reply from the JDC.

SHOULD LDA BECOME A FORMAL TRADE UNION ?

At the AGM in June, a resolution was passed to make LDA a tradeunion to enable us to negotiate salary, terms and conditions and disputes with employers. However this requires much more dedication, resources and physical input from	members and the executive. Roles would have to be clearly fulfilled. Members would have to pay higher subscriptions to enable the statutory	requirements for a TU to be met. ARE YOU THE MEMBERS, WILLING TO DO THIS? If you have skills and expertise to offer, please volunteer now. Ring 07850 574961
	VICTORIES AND SUCCESSES DO NOT COME CHEAP

TIPS FOR LOCUMS (The locum coffee that perks you up)

Have you ever been summarily sacked from job?
Have you ever been sued for negligence?
Have at least two complaints or persons made a similar criticism of you?
Have you had more than three arguments at work?

If you have experienced any of these, wake up!
These are warning signs of future career threats. Do not ignore them because matters do not end or stay in limbo. They progress then go to the GMC by which time it may be too late to save your career.

With revalidation on the way, Locum coffee will perk locums up in time to improve performance.