Unions could resist reforms through 'non-cooperation'

Royal College of Midwives general secretary Cathy Warwick was asked about the prospect of action at a fringe event hosted by the Trades Union Congress at the Liberal Democrat autumn conference in Birmingham yesterday.

She said the organisation was still consulting with members about non-cooperation, although it was more likely to be in response to planned changes to pensions.

But she said: “It [non-cooperation] is something I think we maybe should be thinking about.”

Professor Warwick said the RCM was “close to thinking the only way forward is to ask for this [Health] bill to be withdrawn”.

Her concerns include fragmentation of services and privatisation.

Ron Singer, a GP and Unite representative on the British Medical Association GP’s committee, said GPs were very unlikely to take action but it was becoming more likely in other health professions.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat activist, doctor and former MP Evan Harris called on members to vocally oppose the government’s health policy in conference debates tomorrow and on Wednesday.

He and fellow opponents of the reforms have lost an attempt to put a vote on the issue on the conference agenda.