Midwives in South Tyneside and Sunderland have voted overwhelmingly for strike action to prevent being rostered on-call on their days off.
In a ballot of impacted members that closed this week, 92 per cent of RCM members voted yes to strike action.
The RCM has been in negotiations with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust for more than three years, seeking a solution that keeps maternity services safely staffed, without forcing midwives onto on-call shifts at busy times.
The union has warned that the proposed on-call system is unsafe and unsustainable, risking increased burnout and damage to the recruitment and retention of midwives.
RCM Director of Representation and Organising Lynn Collins said: “Our members have spoken loudly and clearly. A 92 per cent yes vote is an unmistakable message that midwives at South Tyneside and Sunderland have had enough.
“Rest days must be protected. Rostering midwives to work on call on their much-needed days off is unsafe, unsustainable and totally unacceptable. Safe staffing is the foundation of safe care and that means ensuring the midwives looking after women and babies are properly rested and supported.”
The RCM has put forward a number of alternative proposals it believes are workable, each designed to make extra staff available during busy periods while protecting midwives’ rest days. Despite this, no agreement has been reached.
No strike dates have been set at this stage. The RCM wishes to reassure women and families using local maternity services that any action would be limited to members refusing to undertake the disputed on-call arrangements. Midwives would continue to work their normal rostered hours.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The ballot was required as previous employment legislation required industrial action ballot mandates to be renewed every 6 months.
- To contact the RCM Media Office, call 020 7312 3456 or email media@rcm.org.uk
- 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 a broad range of learning opportunities through events, conferences, and online resources. For more information, visit rcm.org.uk
