The British Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members working for the National Health Service (NHS) are currently voting to join their nursing and allied health colleagues in taking strike action.  

The RCM is balloting their 30,000 members across the NHS in England and Wales, asking if members are prepared to strike over the UK government’s pay offer and poor staffing levels. The ballot closes on 12 December.  

 This is the second time midwives in England have voted to strike, and the first time Welsh midwives have voted on taking industrial action in the College’s 142-year history. 

RCM members in Scotland have already voted in overwhelming numbers to take industrial action. In a turnout of 61% of eligible voters over 88% voted yes to taking industrial action consisting of a strike. On the question are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike, 94.6% voted yes. 

The strike vote follows midwives’ rejection of the UK government’s below inflation pay offer of a 4% increase. The current rate of inflation in the UK is 11.1%, – the highest rate in 41 years.  

Dr Suzanne Tyler, the RCM’s Director of Services to Members, criticised the UK government’s wage offer as out of touch.  

“It clearly shows that governments do not value the skills, dedication and incredible commitment of midwives and maternity support workers,” Dr Tyler said. 

“It also shows that they either do not understand or simply don’t care about the financial pressures facing our members and their NHS colleagues.” 

Ms Tyler urged the government in England and Wales to do more “to retain staff and bring in others into the NHS” noting that a “meaningful pay offer and urgent retention package is a good place to start.” 

The RCM has reassured the public and staff that a strike would not prevent the safe delivery of service and that any industrial action taken “would not put women or babies at risk.” 

Last week the Royal College of Nursing reported they had secured a mandate from their members to go strike, with the majority of NHS nurses across all employers voting in favour taking strike action.  

The trade union Unison Healthcare, with workers including nurses, is also in the process of balloting members about possible strike action over pay.