ANGRY midwives have again walked out of Clacton Hospital over a pay dispute.

NHS workers want a one per cent pay rise for all employees, but the Government says it will cost too much during the time of austerity.

Royal College of Midwives union members formed a picket line outside Clacton Hospital, in Tower Road, at 7am on Monday for the four hour strike.

They joined thousands of union members from across the country for a second day of industrial action, following a strike on October 13.

“We are continuing with the political pressure,” said Clacton midwife and union rep Emma Sarson.

“We are still disgusted that the Government has not honoured the independent pay review recommendation.

“This action will be on-going and we would be prepared to continue doing this every month until the General Election.”

“Enough is enough – we still feel we are worth one per cent.”

Mrs Sarson said midwives worked with managers to ensure contingencies were in places to look after mums and babies.

A Department of Health claimed it had put forward proposals that would a 1 per pay rise this year and next, but unions dispute the claim.

A spokesman said: “NHS staff are our greatest asset and we want to make the current pay system fairer - which is why we have put forward proposals that would guarantee all staff would get at least a one per cent  pay rise this year and next, but these have been rejected by the unions.

"We have taken tough decisions to increase the NHS budget, but we can't afford a consolidated pay rise in addition to increments without risking 10,000 frontline jobs."