As planned by doctors, there will be an industrial action following a dispute over pensions but there will be strike by staff employed by the British Medical Association following a row over pay a day before doctors take their step.

A pay offer of 1.5 per cent will be rejected by hundreds of members of the GMB who work for the BMA along with an extra 0.5 per cent for high performers and will walk out for 24 hours.

The GMB whose members include regional officers, researchers, librarians, administrative staff and industrial relations officers said that the organistaion has existed for about 180 years and since then it will be the first strike by BMA staff.

Across the UK there will be picket lines that will be mounted outside BMA offices and places that will be included are London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds and Cardiff.

Anna Meyer of the GMB said, "We are very disappointed that there has been no response to our calls for more talks and for an improved offer. GMB members are striking reluctantly. The offer is well below inflation and the BMA can well afford to make an offer in line with inflation."

BMA chief executive Tony Bourne said that the outcome of the GMB ballot has disappointed us despite us respecting the rights of staff to take action.