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RCM moves to accept Welsh Government pay offer following member consultation

on 28 February 2023 RCM Maternity Services MSWs - Maternity Support Workers Midwifery Midwives Staffing Levels Government RCM Member Pay NHS Pay Review Body Pay and Agenda For Change Industrial Action NHS Staff RCM Wales Wales Welsh Government

Midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) have rejected the Welsh Government’s pay offer. The result comes in an RCM consultation on the offer that closed yesterday.

In the two-week online consultation just under a third (32.3%) of eligible members voted, with 82% rejecting the offer and 17.79% accepting. The consultation followed a pause in planned strike action by RCM members that was set for 7 February.

However, the collective response of the majority of trade unions that make up the Wales Partnership forum – including the RCM – is to accept the offer. The RCM will enter into further discussions with the Welsh Government for implementation of the offer and push to start pay discussions for 2023/24.

Julie Richards, Director for Wales at the RCM said: “This was an improved offer which we believe was made in good faith by the Welsh Government to move us forward on pay, and will start to improve maternity services for staff and for women.

“It is clear from this result that our members remain frustrated with their level of pay, with their working conditions, and also with the lack of resources to deliver the best possible care. The Welsh Government have made it clear that there is no more money on the table to improve the pay offer, hidebound as they are by the money they get from the Westminster Government. The Welsh Government have committed to improve their offer if more money does come through.”

Julie Richards added, “Ultimately the solution to this sits with the Government in Westminster. It is they who really must come forward to make more money available for pay here in Wales and across the UK. Our members work incredibly hard, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to deliver care for women, babies, and their families. They need and rightly deserve better pay and we will keep campaigning to make that a reality.”

Ends

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk.

Notes to editors

See also:

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team. 

 

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