Tens of thousands of midwives vote to strike for second time in 140 years

The Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives are both voting to strike this winter - after NHS pay rises below inflation from the government

A midwife cradling a newborn baby (stock photo) (

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Midwives are the latest NHS workers to vote to strike this winter.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) - whose membership includes over 50,000 midwives, student midwives and childminders - is urging its members across Britain to vote in favor of strike action.< /p>

This comes days after the Royal College of Nursing voted with its 300,000 NHS members on whether to strike.

The MRC said no action would be taken that would put mothers and babies at risk, and that safe services would be maintained.

The director of the RCM, Dr Suzanne Tyler, said: "Midwives have only gone on strike once in 140 years. It's not something they take lightly.

“The MRC has already called on the new Prime Minister to keep her promises and to “respect the national health service”.

PM Liz Truss could face a winter of strikes (

Picture:

James McCauley/REX/Shutterstock)

“One way to do this is to ensure that staff are valued and fairly compensated for what they do. workforce that is swallowing up our NHS."

The four-week RCM ballot will take place from November 11 in England and Wales and is already underway in Scotland.

The NHS faces a winter of discontent with a number of NHS unions voting for industrial action, including the British Medical Association which represents doctors.

This follows a pay rise of £1,400 announced by the Government which, with RPI inflation of 12.3%, would constitute another annual pay cut in real terms.

This corresponds to an average increase of 3% to 4% in England, while in Scotland NHS staff received a 5% increase.

Dr Tyler added: "Our members are sending a very clear message to the Governments of England and Wales and a message that should in no way be ignored...