Protest at daily rate caps gathers pace
A petition has been set up by locums in the profession against optical companies with lower daily rates who have introduced caps.
The petition, named Stop the Lowering of Locum Optometrists Rates, had 473 signatures and 80 comments as Optician went to press.
They argued locums should aim for a minimum of £300 on weekdays and Sundays, and £350 for Saturdays. ‘It is unfair to subsidise free sight tests and spectacle offers by lowering locum rates,’ the petition added.
One signatory, optometrist Vikram Soni, said: ‘It's down to us professionals who have worked hard for many many years to increase salaries for both resident optometrists and locums. The only way this can be achieved is to stand by your fees.’