RCN consults members ahead of special meeting on pensions

Published: 21 September 2011

 For immediate release: Wednesday 21st September  2011
RCN consults members ahead of special meeting on pensions
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today announced that it would be holding a special meeting of RCN Council on Friday September 30th to discuss next steps over pensions. The RCN is contacting members to ask them to give their opinion on action to take over proposed changes to pension arrangements.

In an email to members, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:
“You'll know from both talking to colleagues and from reading the newspapers, that a number of public sector unions plan to ballot their members on industrial action over proposed changes to pension arrangements. In light of this, and the UK Government's failure to meaningfully engage in the ongoing negotiations, we want to know what direction you feel the RCN should now take. The RCN has always been, and will always be, an organisation that is led by its members – your opinion is hugely important to us.”

Dr Carter also advises RCN members to get in touch online or via text, from which all opinions will be passed on to RCN council members, who are elected to represent the regions and countries of the UK. Council members will then make a decision on the issue at the meeting on September 30th.

RCN members have previously expressed their concerns about government proposals to increase pension contributions, close final salary schemes and raise the state pension age. One member recently told the RCN:

“At 55 I do not relish the thought of continuing my nursing career until I am 66/67. Changes can be seen constantly in the physical and mental demands of the job, as nurses are constantly expected to take on more roles and more responsibility. I am a widow and am the legal guardian for my 13 year old grandchild with rent and bills to pay.”

Ends
Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 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