Midwives in Scotland have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over what they described as an “insulting” pay offer.
More than 88% of midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) in Scotland, who are part of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), voted to strike in a turnout of 61% of eligible voters.
Workers were also questioned on whether they were prepared to take industrial action short of a strike, with 94.6% voting yes.
The RCM will begin balloting its members in England and Wales over pay on 11 November and said it continued to consult its members in Northern Ireland.
The Scottish government’s recent offer was about a 5% pay increase for midwives and MSWs, which the union described as “insulting” and “derisory”.
The RCM said the latest deal, made last week, “made no meaningful difference to the initial offer for most RCM members across Scotland” and was in fact “a reduction for many”.
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.”
The RCM said if strikes went ahead, NHS employers in Scotland would be given notice of any type of industrial action to ensure there is adequate cover for work shifts.
Lambert added: “I repeat our call to the Scottish government to put a meaningful pay offer on the table that recognises the financial challenges our members face and gives them the pay award they deserve.”
Earlier this month, Scottish trade union leaders urged Nicola Sturgeon to spend hundreds of millions more on the cost of living crisis as nurses, teachers and midwives considered striking over their pay.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and the Poverty Alliance, an influential umbrella group, asked the first minister to accept inflation-matching pay increases, a rise in child benefits to £40 a week and strict rent controls funded by new wealth taxes.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We are disappointed to hear that the Royal College of Midwives have rejected this record pay offer and have voted for strike action.
“For the lowest paid, this represents an above-inflation 11% pay rise, and it will ensure our midwives and other AfC staff remain the best paid in the UK.”
