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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Midwives support strike action | Midwives support strike action |
| (about 1 hour 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. | 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. | 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 argue this does not meet the increasing cost of living and say the 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. | 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. | "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." | "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." |
| The Department of Health said it was "disappointed" and urged unions to "put patients first". | |
| A spokesperson said: "NHS staff are our greatest asset and we know that midwives across the country are working hard. | |
| "That's why they should receive at least one per cent additional pay this year and next. | |
| "Since May 2010, there are 1,700 more midwives helping expectant mothers and we want to protect these increases. | |
| "We cannot afford a general pay rise on top of incremental pay increases without risking the loss of frontline NHS jobs." |