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Midwives support strike action | Midwives support strike action |
(35 minutes later) | |
Midwives in England say they are prepared to take industrial action over pay. | Midwives in England say they are prepared to take industrial action over pay. |
More than 94% of midwives and maternity support workers taking part in a consultation said they would consider strike action. | More than 94% of midwives and maternity support workers taking part in a consultation said they would consider strike action. |
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said there was a palpable "sense of anger and frustration" among members. | The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said there was a palpable "sense of anger and frustration" among members. |
The RCM will now decide whether to formally ballot members on industrial action. | The RCM will now decide whether to formally ballot members on industrial action. |
The NHS Pay Review Body had recommended a 1% pay rise for all staff. | |
In March, ministers announced a basic 1% pay rise, but added that staff receiving automatic "progression-in-job" increases would not get the 1% as well. | |
The RCM argues this does not meet the increasing cost of living and say their pay deal amounts to a pay cut. | |
Cathy Warwick, the chief executive of the RCM, said: "We knew midwives were angry about the derisory offer from the Government, but this response from our members highlights just how unfairly they have been treated. | |
"Such an unprecedented response with such a large number willing to consider action should ring alarm bells with the Government. | |
"Midwives and other health workers are seeing their pay falling in real terms as their pay stagnates, pension contributions increase and the cost of living rises." |