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Not prepared to 'weaken’ pay structure for midwives says RCM

By RCM on 28 November 2017 Pay and Agenda For Change Secretary of State for Health

Responding to comments by Jeremy Hunt on NHS pay reported in the Health Service Journal today Jon Skewes, Director for Policy, Employment Relations and Communications at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “It would appear that the Secretary of State for Health has ignored the advice of unions and others engaged in exploratory negotiations on the pay claim for NHS staff, and on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay structure. That advice was to explore more and talk less. His intervention has not helped the prospect of a deal on pay in the NHS.

“Last week’s Budget was helpful on funding, but the Secretary of State, by citing the junior doctor’s dispute has blundered.

“We regard the AfC agreement as a most professional contract that is based on equal pay for work of equal value and we will not be prepared to weaken it. We think the pay structure could be improved but we will not be prepared to reduce the fair compensation that midwives and other staff in the NHS receive for providing a service that is there every day, every night, every weekend, every bank holiday, every Christmas holiday.

“Mr Hunt would be well advised to address the real terms pay loss our members have suffered over the last seven years. It would be entirely unacceptable to ask midwives and other NHS staff to fund their own pay increase through cutting their terms and conditions.”

To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456, or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

Note to editors

The 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 website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.

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