7. Retired not redundant
North West London Outer Branch
(R) That this meeting of RCN Congress urges Council to use the proven talents of retired RCN accredited representatives
Result
The resolution was passed
For: 95.88 % (17)
Against: 4.12 % (17)
Abstain: 9
Debate report
Zeba Arif, from the RCN North West London Outer Branch, urged Council to use the proven talents of retired RCN accredited representatives, in a lively debate at Congress today.
“Representatives are the lifeblood of the RCN,” she said, as she highlighted the time and effort invested in training RCN representatives and lamented its waste when representatives retire. “ Your psyche and your belief in the RCN doesn’t change,” she argued.
Zeba referred to the approach taken by another union which continues to work with retired representatives, as she argued it was time to find a place in RCN structures for these valuable activists. Retired representatives could help with recruitment and retention of members, communicating RCN messages and explaining policy implications, she said. But most importantly, it was argued, they could help by providing mentoring and support for current accredited representatives which could help stewards, who are so hard-pressed for time.
The item was seconded by John Hill from the Scunthorpe branch. He highlighted the increasing amount of work being transferred to new employers, who may not recognise the RCN, and the resulting growing demand this places on regional officers. Using the knowledge and skills of retired representatives could help in these cases, he argued.
Member after member spoke in favour of the resolution, with some calling for the debate to be widened. Ian McGregor asked for consideration to be given to accredited representatives working in higher management and strategic roles to act as mentors, and Mike Travis said that the current workforce must become politicised now, before it was too late to save the NHS.
“Don’t throw out the expertise of retired representatives,” urged Jean Rogers. Her views were echoed by Neil Thompson who suggested that the RCN’s current approach actively discriminates against groups of people who have given so much to the organisation.
A word of caution was given by Philip Noyes who said the RCN needed to be careful to ensure that employers did not insist on using retired representatives, rather than giving time to current representatives. But the final word went to Douglas Lockhart, who said it was essential for the RCN to take action. “Use us or lose us,” he urged.
The resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority.
Background
The RCN has more than 2,000 accredited representatives - stewards, safety and learning representatives - who support and represent members around the UK. The RCN continually invests in their development and supports them in their role assisting members in the workplace.
Representatives are accredited once they have been ratified in the role by their RCN branch. The accreditation is then notified to the relevant employing organisation. This arrangement allows the representative time away from their normal work to undertake paid or unpaid duties on behalf of the union. When a member has retired from nursing employment, they are - by definition - no longer employed and their role as an accredited representative ends.
The RCN has more than 24,000 members aged over 60. There are 8,500 RCN members in the ‘retired membership’ category, for which they pay a reduced subscription of just £10. This category is for those who have been a member of the RCN for at least a year and have retired from all employment, or are unable to work through ill health and are in receipt of relevant ill health benefits.
A number of representatives retire from employment but still wish to remain in contact with nursing and the RCN, while others may wish to continue to act as a representative in employment or professional matters.
If a retired member wants to continue to act as a representative, they would need to be supported by the RCN to do so. The RCN would need to seek agreement from the relevant employer that a retired representative could undertake a trade union role in their workplace, and as such have access to the premises and RCN members who work there.
The RCN seeks to involve retired members in its work in a number of ways. In England we have developed a number of ‘zero-hours’ contracts, based on the skill-set of accredited activists, which have been taken up by retired members.
Many retired representatives remain active in RCN branches and forums. Retired members, who pay the full nurse or health practitioner membership fee, are able to stand for governance roles on RCN Council, its committees and the RCN boards, ensuring important decisions are made by members themselves.
The RCN is also working to support retired members through its membership of the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), which campaigns for and represents pensioners in a number of areas including health and social care, transport and pensions. To this end the RCN is establishing a network of retired or older members to draw on their expertise and skills. Members will be elected from this network to represent the RCN in the NPC, playing an important role in representing the views of retired nursing staff.
References and further reading
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (2010) Time off for trade union duties and activities, Norwich: Stationery Office. Available at: www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2391 (accessed 12/03/13) (Web).
Royal College of Nursing (2013) Membership payment plans, London: RCN [online]. Available at: www.rcn.org.uk/membership/categories (accessed 14/03/13) (Web).
