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RCM recommends acceptance of latest pay offer as Scotland pay consultation opens

on 01 March 2023 RCM Maternity Services MSWs - Maternity Support Workers Midwifery Midwives Staffing Levels Government RCM Member Pay NHS Pay Review Body Pay and Agenda For Change Industrial Action NHS Staff Scotland RCM Scotland NHS Scotland Scottish Government Scottish Maternity Services

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) opens its consultation on the latest Scottish government pay offer today, running until 19 March. The RCM is recommending that its midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members accept the offer. 

The consultation follows a pay offer from the Scottish Government on 17 February. The latest deal means most midwives and maternity support workers (MSW) – depending on where they are on the pay scale – will get a consolidated pay rise of around 6.5% for the 2023/24 pay year. If accepted it is hoped this could be in our members April pay packets. This is on top of the imposed pay rise already in pay packets for 2022/2023, meaning most RCM members will have received a consolidated 13-14% pay rise over a two-year period. 

It also includes a lump sum equivalent to three calendar months value of the difference between an employee’s basic rate of pay for 2022/23 and 2023/24 pay. This was gained by RCM members continuing to be in dispute with the Scottish Government over the imposed 2022/23 pay offer.  

Jaki Lambert, RCM Director for Scotland, said: “This is a good deal that gives our members most of what we have been asking for around pay, working conditions, and concerns about professional midwifery issues. We have got here by hard negotiation and because our members took a stand for a better working life for themselves and better care for women; two things that go hand in hand. 

“In this offer we have a deal that will very quickly will push pay for a majority of our members significantly past the inflation rate. Importantly though, it also comes with firm promises to address the real concerns of midwives and MSWs pushing many of them to consider leaving the profession. These include rising pressures, dwindling resources, staffing shortages and no opportunities for development or time to learn. We have a deal here that gives our members something now, and puts in a solid foundation with firm government promises to improve maternity services for staff and women.” 

A Scottish Government task force chaired by the Cabinet Secretary – which the RCM is part of – has also been formed to address the specific workforce issues facing midwives, maternity services, and those of their nursing colleagues. In the deal there are also firm commitments from the Scottish Government on reforming pay banding for midwives.  

This offer builds on an earlier one rejected by RCM members in a consultation in December. This included the continuation of overtime payments for senior midwives, making a significant difference to their pay, and retaining the enhanced mileage allowances for staff using their cars for work. There are also firm promises from the Scottish Government on key issues including protected time for staff to undertake crucial ongoing education and training, where previously many people had to do this in their own time. The deal also includes plans to reduce the working week to 36 hours with no loss of earnings. All of these have been pulled through into the new deal. 

Jaki Lambert added, “We still have a strong and live mandate for industrial action in Scotland over our dispute on 2022/23 pay if our members do not accept this offer. However, this is a good deal and one we think our members should seriously consider. It is now rightly up to them to make the decision to accept or reject it.” 

Ends 

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email [email protected]. 

Notes to editors 

See also: 

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team.  

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