STRIKE action is looming at the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (RCPCH), Unite the union warned today as its members struggle to stay afloat on pitiful pay rates.

The London-based professional body’s work includes raising awareness of the impact of low incomes on health — but bosses imposed a way-below-inflation 2.5 per cent wage deal on their own staff, Unite says.

Talks via conciliation service Acas resulted in a slightly improved salary proposal — just 3.5 per cent — but it was overwhelmingly rejected by the workforce.