06/01/2020
NI Midwives To Vote On Industrial Action
Midwives in Northern Ireland are set to vote on whether they are willing to take industrial action over pay.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) ballot opened today, Monday 06 January, and will close on Wednesday 29.
It follows exhaustive talks over pay and conditions with the Department of Health as staff seek pay parity with their counterparts in Great Britain.
The decision to hold a ballot comes after nine years of pay restraint which has seen midwives and MSWs take a real term pay cut. Local midwives currently earn up to £2,000 less than their colleagues in England, with an even wider gap when compared to those in Scotland.
RCM's Director for Northern Ireland Karen Murray said: "We have exhausted every avenue over a number of years in trying to resolve this dispute with the Department of Health. Despite our best efforts to negotiate a fair pay deal for our members the department have failed to come to an agreement. Our midwives here are much worse off in their pay packet than their colleagues in other parts of the UK. This is simply neither right nor fair. That is why we are recommending our members to vote yes to industrial action."
Ms Murray added: "This is a decision taken after a great deal of thought and consideration. Midwives and MSWs work incredibly hard to provide safe and high-quality care for women, babies and their families. All the evidence shows that staff who feel they are valued by their employers deliver better care.
"Failing to pay our midwives and MSWs a fair wage shows that employers do not value them. A yes vote in this ballot will show employers that they have exhausted the goodwill of our midwives and MSWs that has kept our maternity services going. It is time to take a stand for fair pay."
(JG/CM)
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) ballot opened today, Monday 06 January, and will close on Wednesday 29.
It follows exhaustive talks over pay and conditions with the Department of Health as staff seek pay parity with their counterparts in Great Britain.
The decision to hold a ballot comes after nine years of pay restraint which has seen midwives and MSWs take a real term pay cut. Local midwives currently earn up to £2,000 less than their colleagues in England, with an even wider gap when compared to those in Scotland.
RCM's Director for Northern Ireland Karen Murray said: "We have exhausted every avenue over a number of years in trying to resolve this dispute with the Department of Health. Despite our best efforts to negotiate a fair pay deal for our members the department have failed to come to an agreement. Our midwives here are much worse off in their pay packet than their colleagues in other parts of the UK. This is simply neither right nor fair. That is why we are recommending our members to vote yes to industrial action."
Ms Murray added: "This is a decision taken after a great deal of thought and consideration. Midwives and MSWs work incredibly hard to provide safe and high-quality care for women, babies and their families. All the evidence shows that staff who feel they are valued by their employers deliver better care.
"Failing to pay our midwives and MSWs a fair wage shows that employers do not value them. A yes vote in this ballot will show employers that they have exhausted the goodwill of our midwives and MSWs that has kept our maternity services going. It is time to take a stand for fair pay."
(JG/CM)
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