Calling all RCM Activists to support 1 April action on pay
on 23 March 2022 Midwives MSWs - Maternity Support Workers Pay NHS Pay Review Body Pay and Agenda For Change NHS NHS Staff NHS Wales NHS England NHS Scotland NHS Unions RCM Northern Ireland
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling on all its Activists to raise their voices on improving NHS pay on 1 April – and show that midwives are no fools.
Friday 1 April may be April Fool’s Day, but it’s also the day RCM members, and other NHS staff, should be due a pay rise. Instead, yet again they are facing another potentially long wait until that pay rise comes, despite us lobbying hard.
The RCM together with 13 other trade unions representing hundreds of thousands of NHS workers want to use 1 April as day to create more noise and tell the Government it’s time to #GetSerious about NHS pay.
The #WithNHSStaff campaign, of which the RCM is a founder member, is calling all staff side reps to come together to organise joint union events to call for a decent pay rise for all NHS staff.
RCM staff will be supporting these events, which can be as simple as taking a photograph using one of the campaign’s branded posters and sharing that on social media with the hashtags #GetSerious and #WithNHSStaff.
The RCM says events could also be held at NHS workplaces to raise awareness and encourage staff and members of the public to take action and support the campaign. This could be an opportunity to get together and write to your local MP about your concerns over pay or speak to your local staff-side chair to see how RCM branches can get involved in workplace events.
The #WithNHSSStaff campaign has put together a pack of materials for RCM members to use, including template letters and social media resources to help you engage staff, politicians, and the public with this issue. All materials are available to download here
Commenting, RCM’s Director for Employment Relations, Alice Sorby said:
“We are aware that 1 April is fast approaching, but no event is too small. Together we can use this day to make more noise and put more pressure on the Government to improve pay not only for RCM members, but for all NHS staff. With the cost of living rising rapidly, it’s never been more important that our members receive a decent pay rise. Years of pay restraint in the NHS means we need an inflation-busting pay rise to ensure staff can manage the rapidly rising cost of living.
“Last year’s 3% pay award was inadequate. It left our members feeling undervalued and eroded morale at a time when services were under immense pressure. Fair pay is integral to recruitment and retention. Currently, we see a vicious cycle of midwives and MSWs unhappy with staffing levels and leaving, further exacerbating shortages, and making it tougher for those remaining in the service. So, we are encouraging those who can join the 1 April action either in person or online, to do so and make sure your voice is heard. Together we are stronger.”
The RCM is also encouraging all its members to share their concerns about staffing issues and pay by talking this #WithNHSStaff two-minute survey here.
Alice added: “Your views and feedback on pay and staffing have never been more crucial. The joint campaign is asking the members of all 13 trade unions to have their say. We will then take the data generated from the survey responses to the Government. Lending us your voice in this way will enable us to continue to keep the pressure on them and campaign for improving NHS pay on top of the agenda.”