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Unite exploring legal options for industrial action ‘in time for LMC Conference’

GPs in the union UNITE are looking to put forward motions on legal industrial action to the LMC Conference in May, Pulse has learned.

It comes after GPC officials squashed certain proposals – such as strikes and withdrawing from CQC inspections – at the recent Special LMC Conference, on the basis they would not be lawful.

Dr Ron Singer, a retired GP from Tower Hamlets and UNITE’s representative on GPC, told Pulse that UNITE was looking at ways GPs might be able to take action lawfully, ‘in time for motions to LMC’.

Dr Singer said: ‘We are pursuing this in time for motions to LMC conference. It is complex with GMS, PMS and GPs salaried to other GPs. All I can say at this time is that it is in progress.’

In the absence of striking or other options, the Special LMC Conference – called at the request of beleaguered grassroots GPs – instead approved the ‘nuclear deterrent’ of threatening mass resignations unless a satisfactory ’rescue package’ for general practice cannot be agreed.

However, the threat was watered down from the original plan to request GPs submit undated resignation letters straight away, to ’canvassing GPs on their willingness’ to take the action.

This year’s annual LMC Conference will be held in London on 19 and 20 May.