DON'T call the midwife!

[dutchman]

Midwives vote to strike for the first time in 133 years



Midwives in England have voted to go on strike in a dispute with the Government over pay, the Royal College of Midwives announced today.

The four-hour walkout would be the first in the group's 133-year history.

NHS Employers said the decision was "regrettable" and could worry pregnant women.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) insisted that no mothers or babies would be put at risk and said midwives will still be there for women giving birth.

Ante-natal and post-natal appointments will be targeted by the action, scheduled to start at 7am on Monday, 13th October.

Midwives will join NHS members of the Unison and Unite unions, who have already voted in favour of strike action scheduled for the same day.

The RCM said 82.2 per cent of its members voted to say they were prepared to take part in the strike, while 17.8 per cent were not. More than 94 per cent of midwives say they are prepared to take part in action short of a strike.

The turnout of those eligible to vote was 49.4 per cent.

The yes vote follows the rejection by employers of the Independent NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) recommendation of a 1 per cent pay rise for NHS staff.

In Scotland, the recommendation was agreed to in full. Wales is doing the same as England, but has given extra money to the lowest paid.