RCN prepares move towards ballot for nurses over pensions

Published: 10 November 2011

For immediate release: Thursday 10th November 2011

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Council met today to discuss rising anger about Government proposals on NHS pensions.

Council were unanimous in concluding:

“That members' serious concerns over the Government's pension proposals must be addressed in a credible way through continued negotiations. If negotiations fail by the end of December 2011, Council will authorise a ballot on industrial action at a meeting in January.”

Professor Kath McCourt, Chair of RCN Council, said:
“Council received a report on our pensions campaign and preparations to support the 30th November Day of Action. We considered the wide range of views we have received from members and discussed the revised Government proposals at length.

“Council members represent nursing staff from all the regions and countries of the UK, and all reported that our members are very angry about the attacks on their pensions. We as nurses would not take an unprecedented step over industrial action lightly, but the feeling is such that we will now move towards a ballot of our members in the new year if negotiations fail. Council will also be supporting the day of action on the 30th of November as an important opportunity to make our voices heard.”

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:
“Nurses and Healthcare Assistants take their roles incredibly seriously, so the fact that they have asked us to prepare for a ballot on industrial action shows something of the strength of feeling out there. NHS pensions have already been reformed, and nurses have accepted the need to pay more for their income in retirement. Nurses aren’t asking for the world, but a fair pension, as agreed in 2008, offers nurses a dignified, but not lavish provision for their retirement.

“While we are committed to working with the government to see negotiations through, they should be in no doubt that its announcements last week have not fully addressed the concerns that nurses are expressing. Nurses are only asking for something they have worked hard for – a fair pension in retirement. When you keep asking people to work longer, pay more and still end up with less, something has to give.”

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