Midwife Strikes w/ Jill Ovens and Mallory Fraser: August 11, 2021

On Monday, midwives across New Zealand began their rolling eight-hour strikes around the country following failed negotiations over pay increases last week. The midwives' union refused to put the DHB's latest offer to members, saying it was worse than the two previous offers already rejected by its members.

On the Wire this Wednesday, Frances Wright spoke with Jill Ovens who is the co-leader for MERAS, the midwives union. They spoke about the DHB’s offer, the shortage of midwives across the country, and the lack of awareness about midwifery as a career option in high schools. She also spoke briefly with Mallory Fraser, a student midwife who was on shift working at the hospital that morning. We spoke about what it’s like at the hospital, and about being a student heading into the midwifery profession.