As dissatisfaction with the 2022 NHS pay offers grows, midwives and maternity support workers working in the heatlh service in Scotland have overwhelmingly rejected the Scottish government’s 5% deal.
In the highest ever turnout for an RCM pay consultation in Scotland, almost 90 percent of RCM members who voted have indicated they now wish to be formally balloted on industrial action. The RCM says the high response rate is a real indication of how members are feeling, particularly as many midwives and maternity staff see any form of industrial action as a last resort.
The College says that, should its members vote for industrial action, they will not ask members to break their code of conduct. During previous strike action in 2014 the RCM maintained safe services.
Jaki Lambert, RCM’s Director for Scotland said: “Midwives and maternity support workers are feeling undervalued and frankly they have had enough. The Scottish Government’s sub-par pay offer will be the final straw for many members already looking for the door.
"A 5% pay increase is way below inflation and is actually a real terms pay cut for our hard-working members. With inflation predicted to hit 11% this year and many of our members are already struggling with the rising cost of living and they feel they’ve had no other choice but to reject the Government’s pay offer.”
The SoR is currently conducted an online survey to gauge members' views on the latest NHS pay offers.