Midwives in Ireland Begin Indefinite Strike Over Poor Pay

Icelandic midwives have begin an indefinite strike following break down in the negotiation with the government. The midwives have allege that the amount of money they take home monthly does not commensurate with the level of education and training they received.

This strike action will affect new parents most of all.

Negotiations between the state and midwives have been in a deadlock for around six months. Midwives say that their salaries are not in accordance with their education and responsibility.

Midwives have  met with support from the general public with parents opening a Facebook page of support and sharing birth stories.

Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir told today’s Morgunblaðið that she’s surprised at this action taken.

Ellen Bára Valgerðardóttir of the association of midwives disagrees and says that a new wage agreement has been lying on her desk at the ministry since before Easter. “We have heard nothing frm her. We sent her plenty of messages yesterday to tell her that we were going on strike. What she’s saying is not true.”