Midwives suspend strike after Swann talks
Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has become the latest healthcare worker union to suspend its ballot for industrial action after “intense negotiations” with Health Minister Robin Swann.
Mr Swann promised to give health staff pay parity with workers in the rest of the UK. He also promised to increase staff levels to address concerns around patient and staff safety.
Midwives and maternity support workers will receive pay parity backdated to April 1 last year. RCM is set to consult with its members, but will recommend they accept the offer. A consultation of RCM members on the outline agreement will start on January 20 until February3.
GMB is the only union yet to respond to the Department of Health’s pay offer.
It is understood the union has concerns that the offer does not go far enough in terms of safe staffing levels.
GMB staff are set to strike on January 24 followed by continuous action short of a strike from January 25.
Nipsa has rejected the offer, saying the majority of its members would not benefit from the package on the table.
A spokesperson said the union would consider further selective strike action and increase inTHE dustrial action short of a strike. RCM director for Northern Ireland Karen Murray said the settlement offer was “hard won and hard fought for”.
“Within just a few days of the
Assembly restarting we have got a fair pay deal on the table for our members,” she said.
“We are recommending our members accept this offer and I urge them to respond to our consultation. This is a very positive step forward after falling behind other UK health workers on pay. Our actions and that of other unions has put pressure on the government and led to this agreement.”
Mrs Murray said that the government had recognised the contribution midwives and maternity support workers make to the well-being of women.
She added: “It shows that by taking a stand and using the power of unions and our members we have got a fair pay deal.”
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Unite have also suspended planned strikes, while Unison is balloting members over Mr Swann’s proposals with a recommendation to accept.