FRANCES O’GRADY welcomed the Royal College of Midwives to the TUC yesterday, lauding the affiliation as a chance to “defend and champion our NHS.”

RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick said: “We are delighted to be affiliated.

“This is a positive step and is important to us not only from the union perspective but also for the RCM’s professional work.”

During the recent NHS pay strikes midwives were said to have turned out in higher numbers than other sections of the workforce, reversing their union’s historic stance of avoiding industrial action.

TUC general secretary Ms O’Grady said: “The trade union movement takes its strength from its members, and we look forward to working more closely with them.”

The union’s affiliation follows that of the National Association of Head Teachers last October.