Midwives tell PM to take a trip to the supermarket to see real cost of living
Commenting on the acceptance of the Government’s three-year pay deal by members of UNISON and the Royal College of Nursing, Dame Karlene Davis, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: “We have got to respect the wishes of the members of these organisations and I sincerely hope that this gives them a fair reward for their efforts and dedication, despite the reported low turnout in both ballots.”
“However, we think this is a bad deal for midwives and other NHS staff, because rising inflation and cost of living expenses mean that accepting this deal is accepting a pay cut. Our members overwhelmingly voted against the deal on offer and we will continue to fight for them to get them a better, fairer award.
“Midwives are not asking for riches beyond avarice. They are asking for the Government to respect the Independent Pay Review Body (PRB) decision and to give them a reward that reflects the real cost of living, the real rate of inflation and the real impact on their purses and wallets.
“The Government signed up to an agreement that all parties would accept the recommendation of the PRB. For the second year in a row, the Government has chosen to ignore their recommendation and have reneged on their commitment.
“I would advise the Prime Minister and his team to take a calculator and a trip to the petrol station and the supermarket to understand the real costs that people are paying. The deal they are offering is unfair, unjust and unacceptable and we look to the Government to honour their commitment, accept the PRB’s decision and pay up and pay fair.”
The result of the consultation will be considered by the College’s Employment Relations Committee on 9th June. Unions involved in negotiating NHS pay with the Government will meet on Friday 13 June at the trade union lead officers meeting to discuss the way forward on pay.
Members of the RCM overwhelmingly rejected the 3 year pay deal negotiated by Unison, RCN, the DH and NHS Employers. RCM members expressed strong support for the 2.75% one year pay deal recommended by the National Health Service Pay Review Body.
Following a wide ranging consultation of individual members and branches, 99.7% of members voted to reject the 3 year deal. Nearly all (98%) voted to accept the NHS PRB recommendation of 2.75% for one year only, with only 2% of members voting to reject it.
For more information contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3433/3432
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) aims to promote and advance the profession of the midwife. The RCM represents over 95% of the UK's midwives and is one of the world's oldest and one of the largest midwifery organisations, and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2006. It is also a trade union. For more information visit the RCM website at www.rcm.org.uk.
