RCN comment on possible industrial action

Published: 14 September 2011

For immediate release: 14 September 2011

Responding to news that public sector unions are consulting or balloting their members about possible industrial action in defence of pensions, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter says:

“Pensions are a huge issue for RCN members. I have never seen members so concerned and angry. Women nurses, in particular, have very modest pensions, averaging around £4000 a year, so the prospect of paying higher contributions, working for longer and receiving less when they retire is truly appalling. There are negotiations running to the end of October, and the Government needs to be in no doubt that they need to find a fair deal for nurses. The NHS pension scheme was changed in 2008 and nurses are already paying higher contributions. The NHS scheme is in surplus so this is a fight the Government really doesn’t need to pick. The RCN is working closely with the other health unions looking at all the options available for getting our voices heard.

“We need to consider our options step by step. The negotiations are still running and I hope they will succeed. We will report on progress to our Council meeting on 26 October. It is our Council which will determine whether, at any point, we should ask members to take this very difficult and significant step. In the mean time I urge all RCN members to check that we have up to date contact details for them, including their place of work, so that if we need to contact them in the workplace quickly, we can.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations