Midwives issue threat of future strike action over inflation and pay

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The RCM has issued a warning over possible future strike action on pay.

A wide ranging consultation of college members and branches has revealed that 99.7% of members wanted to reject the government's three-year offer. Nearly all opted to take 2.75% for one year only.

However, under collective bargaining, college members will be obliged to accept the three-year 8% pay deal now that both the larger unions, Unison and the RCN, have accepted it. A threat of a strike ballot made last week by the third biggest health union, Unite, will probably not change the outcome.

But the RCM has issued a strong statement this week, saying that it will be prepared to take action independently if economic conditions continue to worsen and a special re-negotiating clause in the deal is not triggered by inflation levels.

The college said it would consider itself in dispute with the Health Departments and NHS Employers if they do not honour the re-opener clause, to at least match inflation over the three year period. 'We will recommend to our council that they reserve the right to ballot members on industrial action next year if living standards are not maintained,' it stated.

Louise Silverton, Deputy General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, added: 'We will not sit by and watch our members' income plummet in future years while they struggle to continue delivering a safe, quality service, against all the odds.'