Midwives rally support in strike
A SMALL but vocal group of midwives and their supporters rallied support from pedestrians and traffic in the Octagon as part of yesterday’s strike action.
It was the start of a series of stopworks by members of the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) union, who are calling for their profession to be recognised as important and distinct from nursing — issues they felt the latest pay offer did not address.
Union members were joined by passing pedestrians, and their unified cries for support were met with queues of cars tooting as they passed on the central carriageway.
One of the pedestrians was Nicola Marr, of Dunedin, and her 3weekold son Thomas Sawyer, who was delivered by demonstrating midwife Louise Bell.
Miss Marr said she could not imagine how the birth of her first child would have gone without the help of midwives.
‘‘They’ve given me 100% support all throughout my pregnancy, and on the day of the delivery, I would have been a bit of a mess without them — physically and mentally.
‘‘The doctor was only there for the money shot really. The midwives were there for all of the hard work.
‘‘So I’m 120% behind them on their strike.’’
MERAS union members went on strike again last night between 8pm and 11pm, and will continue to strike up to twice a day, between November 22 and December
5.
Otago rally organiser Michelle Archer said it was only the second time in history midwives had decided to strike across the country.
She said there was a national shortage of midwives and members were worried about attracting new midwives to the profession.
A midwifery degree was a year longer than nursing, effectively making it $10,000$25,000 dearer, but it was not being reflected in the pay structure, she said.
MERAS midwives voted to reject a proposed 9% pay rise over 18 months, two pay step increases and a lumpsum payment by a sizeable margin.
Southern District Health Board chief nursing and midwifery officer Jane Wilson said maternity, antenatal and postnatal services would continue to be available at SDHB hospitals during the industrial action.
MERAS members did not strike in Invercargill or Queenstown yesterday.