National Pensioners’ Convention

Back to all Motions

Conference
2014 National Retired Members Conference
Date
19 May 2014
Decision
Carried as Amended

The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) is Britain’s biggest independent campaigning organisation for older people representing 1.5 million pensioners from both Unions and Pensioners Groups nationwide. The NPC’s main objective is to promote the welfare and interests of today and future pensioners, as a way of securing dignity, respect and financial security for all pensioners.

Conference will be aware that many UNISON retired members are active in the campaigning activities of the NPC locally, throughout the United Kingdom and within the EU. This is advantageous to UNISON as it enables us to convey our message to a wider audience and potentially build links with other Pensioners’ Organisations. The NPC is the lead campaign group fighting for a fairer Pension for all, Dignity in Care, Defending Universal Benefits and committed to building solidarity between the generations and opposes attempts to divide the different age groups in society. Their activities include regular Rallies and the Lobbying of Parliament on issues that affect older people. It has a Parliamentary Support Group of Cross Party Politicians to support the work of the NPC.

Conference will be further aware that the National Pensioners Convention operates on very limited resources and is mainly dependent on the fees it receives from national affiliates such as UNISON and other trade unions. Further funding is necessary for the NPC not only to survive but to raise its profile and increase its efficiency in campaigning on behalf of older people. Their recently launched “Friends of the NPC” is open to anyone for a monthly donation starting from £1.00 or whatever can be afforded which would bring in much needed funding.

Conference notes that one recent initiative is “The Dignity Action Day 2014”. Fifty events took place nationally and the aim was to promote the Convention’s Dignity Code amongst the Public, Local officials and Health professionals.

Conference believes that the NPC is an important campaigning partner and therefore requests that the National Retired Members Committee:

1. Encourage English, Welsh and Northern Irish Branches to affiliate to the NPC Nationally and/or regionally and Scottish Branches to affiliate to NPC Scotland.

2. Promote amongst English, Welsh and Northern Irish members the Supporters card and- Friends of the NPC- to promote any similar initiative proposed by the Scottish Pensioners Forum amongst Scottish Members.

3. To support the NPC ongoing Rights in Retirement Campaign for a decent State Pension, proper care and an end to Fuel Poverty.