THE Royal College of Midwives is set to undergo a formal strike ballot of its members at Barnsley Hospital - just days after another union halted plans - after the trust moved to a formal ‘fire and rehire’ process which affects more than 100 staff in maternity services.
Barnsley Hospital bosses have been working with unions since August over plans to move from paid to unpaid breaks at the Gawber Road site.
Workers were involved in a three-week consultation, which ran from late October to mid-November, and saw union members reject the hospital’s preferred outcome.
A letter sent to employees states the changes were being done to ensure ‘consistency and fairness’.
The note - sent jointly by executive directors Sarah Moppett and Steven Ned - said employees had until the end of January to agree to the revised terms or face a ‘dismissal and re-engagement’ phase.
Staff who agreed to the changes would receive benefits but those who do not and are subsequently re-hired under the controversial practice would not have access to those same benefits.
It resulted in the GMB union holding a formal ballot for strike action to take place, but it was revealed last week that the proposals would have to be halted due to a lack of interest from members.
Despite this, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has announced its intention to move to a formal industrial action ballot of members.
They say that the decision comes after months of engagement with the trust regarding proposed changes to staff breaks, which would see midwives and maternity support workers working an additional seven hours a month due to longer unpaid breaks.
A spokesperson said: “RCM members in Barnsley have made clear that these proposals are neither safe nor workable.
“Staff report they are already unable to take their existing breaks due to clinical pressures, raising serious concerns about the impact on both staff wellbeing and the safety of care provided to women and families.
“Despite constructive efforts by trade unions to reach a compromise, including a negotiated proposal with mitigations, RCM members overwhelmingly rejected the deal in consultation.
“The trust has now moved to a formal dismissal and re-engagement process, placing hundreds of staff at risk, including more than 100 working in maternity services.
“A consultative ballot of RCM members showed strong support for escalation, with a clear majority backing a move to formal industrial action.”
The RCM says the use of ‘fire and rehire’ in the NHS is unacceptable and risks damaging trust, morale and ultimately patient care.
Lynne Galvin, RCM regional head for north of England, said: “Our members in Barnsley are being placed in an unfair and avoidable situation.
“They have engaged constructively throughout, but the trust has pressed ahead with plans that are unsafe, unworkable and deeply concerning.
“The threat of fire and re-hire has no place in the workplace.
“It undermines staff, damages morale and risks the quality of care women, babies and families receive.
“That’s why we are now preparing to ballot our members for industrial action.
“Our priority is to bring the employer back to the table, secure a pause to this process and ensure safe, workable conditions for maternity staff.
“We remain committed to finding a resolution but will stand firmly behind our members if action is needed.”
A hospital spokesperson told the Chronicle: “We continue to hold discussions with RCM and other union colleagues and are hopeful a resolution to this matter can be found.”
