MIDWIVES will soon swell the ranks of organised labour after their royal college applied to join the TUC.

Royal College of Midwives members joined hundreds of thousands of other NHS staff who walked out over pay last October, its first strike action ever, since its birth 132-year history.

The RCM has 45,000 members and will be the first royal college to join the TUC.

RCM chief executive Cathy Warwick said: “This is a significant, historical and positive decision by the RCM. Membership of the TUC will bring substantial benefits to our members from both an employment relations and professional perspective.

“The RCM is both a professional organisation and a trade union. Our fundamental purpose is to work for our members to ensure they can provide the highest quality of care for women. The TUC campaigning on issues such as women’s rights, employment rights, equality, well-being at work and in many other areas is fully compatible with this.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady welcomed the RCM crowning achievement, saying: “We are delighted that the Royal College of Midwives is to take the historic step of seeking to become the newest member of the TUC.

“Our movement derives its strength from its members and we look forward to working more closely with such a strong and professional body as the RCM.

“Together with our other affiliates we will continue to defend and champion our NHS and public services, which are a bedrock to a strong economy and a just society.”

The new kid will join the existing TUC family of 54 affiliates.