The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is asking its members in Northern Ireland for their views on potential industrial action following further delay of their 2026/27 pay award.
A consultative ballot to eligible members has been launched today (19 October). This will help us to understand if they would be prepared to take industrial action over the delay in implementing the 3.3% Agenda for Change pay award, which has already been paid to colleagues in England and Wales.
Both former Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and current Health Minister Robbie Butler have stated their commitment to delivering the award in Northern Ireland – but members are still waiting for confirmation of when, or if, the uplift will be paid.
The latest delay comes a year after the RCM announced a similar consultation over the outstanding 2025/26 pay award. That award was subsequently confirmed in November 2025, with the full 3.6% uplift backdated to April 2025.
The RCM is once again calling for pay parity to be delivered, with the 2026/27 award implemented in full and backdated to 1 April 2026.
Dr Dale Spence, RCM Northern Ireland Director, said: “This happens time and time again to our members in Northern Ireland – another year, another delay to their pay uplift. For midwives and MSWs at the frontline to be put in this position again makes them feel their work is undervalued.
“While we recognise the financial pressures facing the Northern Ireland Executive, our members should not be the ones trying to balance the books whilst the agreed pay award has still not been implemented.
“Numerous Health Ministers have recognised why pay parity with their colleagues in England and Wales is so important to our members. Why should Northern Ireland midwives and MSWs be valued any less?”
The RCM is urging all eligible members in Northern Ireland to take part in the consultation, taking less than 2 minutes to respond.
The consultation will help determine the RCM’s next steps. It does not authorise industrial action, as a separate statutory industrial action ballot would be required before any action could take place.
Dale added: “This is an opportunity for members to tell us how they feel about the situation and what they would be prepared to do. It’s important that any decision about our next steps are led by our members.”
Eligible members will be emailed a link to cast their vote. The deadline for voting is 23:59 on Sunday 1 November 2026.
