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| Volume 52 Number 26, October 29, 2022 | ARCHIVE | HOME | JBCENTRE | SUBSCRIBE |
Photo: Dominic Lipinski, Press Association
Midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) across Scotland have overwhelmingly voted yes to taking industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the Scottish government's pay offer, which the RCM terms "insulting". The RCM ballot was launched on September 29. It closed on October 27. The offer was around a 5% pay increase for midwives and MSWs. A revised offer made late last week made no meaningful difference to the initial offer for most RCM members across Scotland; it was in fact a reduction for many. It came just as inflation rose above 10% with predictions indicating that it will rise even higher.
Photo: Nursing Times
For important public services, the government demands that at least 40% of those eligible to vote must be in favour of industrial action, on a turnout of at least 50% of those eligible to vote. Smashing through these thresholds, in a turnout of 61% of eligible voters, over 88% voted yes, which is 54% of all eligible voters, to taking industrial action consisting of a strike. On the question, "Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike," 94.6% voted yes.
The RCM therefore is very clear in declaring that its members across Scotland have sent a direct and unequivocal message that they firmly reject the initial offer from Scotland's government.
Jaki Lambert, Director for Scotland at the RCM, said: "Our members' feelings on their pay and the derisory offer from the Scottish government are patently clear. It reveals their disgust at a massively below inflation pay offer that goes nowhere near to catching up with inflation or makes up for years of pay freezes and pay stagnation. It shows that they feel just how little their dedication, commitment and skills are valued by this government. Our members have spoken, and they have said enough is enough!
"This is though not a decision they will have taken lightly. Indeed, they will have taken it with very heavy hearts, because they are committed to providing the best possible care for women, babies, and their families. They will continue to do that even if we do move to take industrial action. There is though still time to avert that. I repeat our call to the Scottish government to put a meaningful pay offer on the table that recognises that financial challenges our members face and gives them the pay award they deserve."
Enough is Enough! Photo: Irish News
The RCM says that if any type of industrial action takes place, NHS employers in Scotland will be given adequate notice. The RCM and its workplace representatives will work with maternity service managers to ensure there is cover during any work stoppages across Scotland so that safe care for mothers and babies is always prioritised.
Any decision to take industrial action must be approved by the RCM's elected Board. The RCM will now look at the result of the ballot and consider the next steps.
The RCM will begin balloting its members in England and Wales on pay on November 11. It is also currently consulting its members in the north of Ireland on pay.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is also conducting a strike ballot. From October 6 to 12 noon on Wednesday, November 2, RCN members working in the NHS and Health and Social Care (HSC) on Agenda for Change contracts are being balloted on whether to take strike action. This follows the below-inflation pay award in England and Wales and pay offer in Scotland. There has been no award made in the north of Ireland at this time. The ballot is taking place by post.
RCN says: "Strike action is a last resort. But it can be a powerful tool for change. Unfairly low pay in our profession is driving chronic understaffing. It puts patients at risk and leaves nursing staff overworked, underpaid and undervalued."
(Royal College of Midwives)