The NHS Staff Council – made up of the 14 health unions including the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) – met today and based on the majority position from trade unions has accepted the Government’s pay offer for England for 2022/23 and 2023/24. The RCM is now calling for the award to be implemented as quickly as possible.
Alice Sorby, Director for Employment Relations at the RCM, said: “This is a deal that has not been given up willingly by the Government. It has been achieved by the willingness of our members and those of other unions to stand up and make their voices heard. It is this that moved the Government from their earlier inflexible position and pushed them to put an improved deal on the table. This chapter is ending but it is not the end of our pay campaigning, and that story will continue. The real terms value of NHS pay still needs to be restored and will be a focus of future efforts by the RCM.
“This dispute was not only about pay but also about improving working conditions and the safety and quality of care for women. Non-pay elements of the deal do start to address some of these issues. However, England has a longstanding, serious, and rising midwife shortage. Maternity services are also not getting the levels of investment they need, and what is there is not reaching the frontline quickly enough. Midwives, maternity support workers, and their colleagues deserve the best possible resources to do their jobs, and we will maintain pressure on the Government to deliver that for them.”
ENDS
To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk.
Notes to Editor
The NHS Staff Council statement on the pay offer acceptance can be read at Staff Council statement – pay offer outcome – 02.05.23.pdf (nhsemployers.org).
See also:
- Midwives say yes to England NHS pay offer (rcm.org.uk)
- RCM to recommend members accept England NHS pay offer
- All health unions must be brought into pay negotiations says RCM
- RCM calls for face-to-face talks with Health Secretary
- RCM urges midwives to vote yes to industrial action as England and Wales pay ballot opens
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.
