Angry midwives are to stage a series of meetings around the region to voice their concerns over proposals to create a 'pay cartel'.
So far a total of 20 health organisations, including hospitals in Cornwall, Plymouth and Exeter, have board level approval to join the South West Pay Consortium.
Health trusts say they are reacting to looming financial challenges, but accusations persist that it is merely a tool for firing workers and re-hiring them at a lower rate.
Jon Skewes, director of employment relations and development at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said his members were outraged.
"The RCM is absolutely opposed to any attempts to reduce the pay of midwives and their colleagues in the NHS," said Mr Skewes.
"It is a betrayal of the hardworking NHS staff delivering vital frontline services."
The first of a number of midwives' meetings will by held at Heartlands, near Pool in Cornwall, tomorrow.