I’m expecting my baby in the next month, and I’m worried that if midwives take industrial action, it could affect the birth. Am I right to be concerned?
CATHY WARWICK, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, says: “The safety of women and their babies always comes first.
Midwives and maternity support workers (MSW) are caring people.
If midwives and MSWs vote for industrial action, pregnant women needing care will receive it. Women in labour or who’ve just given birth won’t notice any change at all.
“We will be taking industrial action that will cause disruption to employers, but not disturb women and their babies and the care they receive. If there is strike action, a midwife will, of course, continue to look after women in labour and other women who need care.
“We are balloting our midwife and MSW members on industrial action and this closes on September 29.
If our members vote yes, industrial action will start in mid-October.”
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