- Conference
- 2013 National Retired Members Conference
- Date
- 12 June 2013
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
The National Pensioners’ Convention (NPC) was founded in 1979 by Jack Jones, former General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers’ Union because he was aware that there was no single organisation which represented and campaigned on behalf of pensioners. Although some trade unions had retired members’ sections, and there were various pensioner organisations and charities in existence, there was no umbrella body that could coordinate and lead the campaign.
Conference notes that today the NPC is the major voice of retired people in Britain. Its campaigning work particularly on the state pension, universal benefits and health and social care, is vital not only for today’s pensioners but also for future generations of pensioners.
Conference further notes that since its foundation, the NPC has operated on a modest income with a small number of dedicated staff and many unpaid volunteers. However, just at a time when it is facing new challenges because of the Government’s austerity programme, one of its funders is reducing its annual grant by £30,000 over the next three years.
Conference therefore calls on the National Retired Members’ Committee to take appropriate steps to positively promote amongst UNISON members the Friends of the NPC Scheme which involves a small annual donation of not less than £1 paid by standing order, thus:
1)Sustaining the NPC over the coming years;
2)Reinforcing the connection and solidarity between today’s pensioners and the pensioners of tomorrow.