Royal College of Midwives: Patience over pay deal 'has run out'
Midwives will join mass strike action on January, 18
As the Royal College of Midwives prepares for mass strike action in just under two weeks time, it is warning 'patience over the pay deal has run out.'
Last September nine out of 10 midwives voted for strike action if a pay deal wasn't agreed.
They took to the picket lines last year and will be joining civil servants and some other health and education staff, in the biggest strike Northern Ireland has ever seen later this month.
The Secretary of State has offered up to ÂŁ584 million to settle pay claims as part of a ÂŁ3.3bn financial package.
But that is conditional on Stormont returning.
Unions are hoping mass strike action will put pressure on the DUP to end its boycott and implement the proposed pay deal.
Anne Wilson is the RCM National Officer for Northern Ireland:
"Our members are tired and feeling burnt out.
"The current situation is hard for them and it's having an impact on the care they can deliver.
"Morale is low and midwives feel undervalued.
"There is palpable frustration that here we are staring 2024 with no resolution to this pay dispute."