Nurses and Midwives reject latest Scottish Government pay offer

Members of nursing and midwife unions in Scotland have voted to reject the latest pay offer.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) say 82% of their members voted to reject the offer while 65% of Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members also voted against the deal.

This means strike action is still planned for early in the New Year, with dates yet to be announced.

However, both unions say they are open to talks.

"Years of being undervalued"

The Scottish Government had offered workers in the NHS a pay rise that would have seen staff receive an average increase of 7.5% - with the lowest paid staff to get a rise of 11.3%.

Commenting on the result, Julie Lamberth, RCN Scotland Board Chair says their members do not want to go on strike, but feel they have no option.

She said: "It was the right thing to ask our members whether to accept or reject this offer. It directly affects their lives and each eligible member needed to be given the chance to have their say. And the result could not be clearer – we have forcefully rejected what the Scottish government said is its ‘best and final’ offer.

"Make no mistake - we do not want to go on strike.

"Years of being undervalued and understaffed have left us feeling we have been left with no option because enough is enough.

"The ball is in Scottish government’s court if strike action is going to be avoided."

Jaki Lambert, RCM Director for Scotland, said: "Our members have spoken loud and clear – the latest pay offer by the Scottish Government is simply not good enough.

"It goes nowhere near addressing the rising cost of living and would see many midwives actually worse off in real terms.

"Our maternity services are continuing to face staffing challenges. In many places it’s only the goodwill and commitment of midwives and their colleagues that keep these services going.

"Those same midwives and MSWs often find themselves working 12-hour shifts with no breaks, and even staying beyond those long shifts, just because there’s no-one to relieve them.

"They do it because they care, and because it’s what women and families need – and we know those same women and families really value them for it.

"We have written to the Cabinet Secretary and said that it’s not too late to avert strike action – we just need to get back around the table.”

"Our members have been consistent throughout this process – they want a decent deal, and they are prepared to take industrial action to get one.

"No midwife wants to do this and it is for the Scottish Government to make sure that they do not feel that they are left with no other option.

"While we acknowledge that the Scottish Government has listened to some of the concerns regarding career opportunities and development, it has failed to meet our members’ needs on pay.

"If the Scottish Government is as committed to NHS staff as they say they are, they need to offer a much better deal. Warm words are great, but they won’t heat their houses or put food on the table."

Yousaf "committed to meaningful dialogue" with unions

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says they have "engaged tirelessly" with unions.

He said: "While I am naturally disappointed the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing have rejected this offer, I respect the voice of their membership.

"We have engaged tirelessly with trade union representatives over recent weeks and months, leaving no stone unturned to reach a record pay offer which responds to the key concerns of staff across the service.

"I am committed to meaningful dialogue with our Unions, and I will be meeting with trade unions, including the RCN tomorrow via the Scottish Terms & Conditions Committee as we seek to avoid industrial action.

"This best and final pay offer of over half a billion pounds underlines our commitment to supporting our fantastic NHS staff.

"A newly qualified nurse and midwife would see a pay rise of 8.7%, and experienced nurses and midwives and would get uplifts of between £2,450 and £2,550.

"We are making this offer at a time of extraordinary financial challenges to the Scottish Government to get money into the pockets of hard working staff and to avoid industrial action, in what is already going to be an incredibly challenging winter.

"Constructive engagement is crucial, those Unions who have rejected our pay offer have all said they want to avoid industrial action, we must collectively work toward avoiding strikes taking place this Winter at a time of already significant pressure for our NHS"

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