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Midwives could strike for just the second time in 140 years in a dispute over pay. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is urging its members in England and Wales to vote in favour of industrial action when a four-week ballot period begins on November 11.
All RCM members who work as midwives or maternity support workers for the NHS are eligible to vote. A ballot in Scotland has already begun.
RCM executive director trade union Dr Suzanne Tyler said: “Midwives have only taken strike action once in 140 years. This is not something they take lightly.
“The RCM has already called on the new Prime Minster to keep her promises and ‘deliver on the National Health Service’. One way to do that is to ensure staff are valued and paid fairly for what they do.
“It unfortunately appears they aren’t willing to listen or even acknowledge the workforce crisis engulfing our NHS. Our members are sending a very clear message to the governments in England and Wales and one that must not be ignored any longer.”
Two-thirds of eligible members in England and more than eight out of 10 in Wales have taken part in a consultation on the move. Three-quarters (75%) said they wanted to be balloted on possible strikes.
The RCM has promised that it will not undertake any action that will put the health of mothers and babies at risk. But Dr Taylor said midwives were feeling “undervalued” and had “no other option” but to strike.
She said: “We have previously warned NHS leaders and Governments in England and Wales that staff were at breaking point and a below inflation pay award would see midwives heading for the door. Our members feel undervalued, underpaid, and are now angry that the Government has not listened to them.
“Many are struggling with the rising cost of living and deeply worried about the future. For midwives to consider taking industrial action it is really the last straw, but they feel they have no other option.”
On Thursday, the Royal College of Nursing begun balloting its members on potential strike action over pay. The Government earlier this year gave most NHS workers a £1,400 pay rise, well below what unions were calling for.
