The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has welcomed the approval by Mike Nesbitt, the Health Minister for Northern Ireland, of the full 12 months of back pay owing to RCM members.
This means midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) will now receive their 5.5% pay award which will be backdated to 1 April 2024 and not 1 May 2024
Commenting, Karen Murray, the RCM’s Director for Northern Ireland, said:
“This is great news for our hardworking midwives and maternity support workers in Northern Ireland. For far too long they have been left in limbo about their pay while watching their colleagues in England and Wales received their pay awards. When we met with the Minster at the end of 2024, he gave us his commitment that he would find the funding that was needed to make this pay award a reality for our members and he has, so we really welcome today’s news.”
The RCM says the new pay circular issued this afternoon has also confirmed that provisions for the incremental pay progression continue to apply where eligible and all Agenda for Change (AfC) staff working in the HSC will now receive a consolidated 5.5% pay award.
Karen added:
“In the interest of fairness and parity it was really important that our members in Northern Ireland received a fully backdated pay award and that’s something we have been lobbying for. We also welcome the Minster’s acknowledgement of the work of our members and their commitment to delivering safe high quality to women and their families across Northern Ireland.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- RCM members can view the new pay circular here to see what this announcement means for you.
