Trade unions representing more than 1m NHS workers have urged Health
Minister, Andrew Lansley to listen to and acknowledge the concerns and fears
of NHS staff, over damaging pension proposals. The proposals would force
staff to pay more, and work longer for a reduced pension.
At a meeting on the 12 October, called by the Secretary of State for Health,
NHS trade unions explained to the Minister the concerns and fears that NHS
staff had about proposed changes to the NHS Pension Scheme. They also said
that the timetable for talks was unrealistic and undeliverable.
Despite the unions calls for changes to the pension proposals and timescales,
Mr Lansley offered no assurances that anything would change.
Unions are warning that unless the Secretary of State takes action now, the
NHS will see the biggest strike in its history.
NHS Staff Side trade unions meeting yesterday issued a joint statement
saying:
The meeting with Andrew Lansley yesterday was disappointing. Despite us
putting forward very strong arguments why the proposed changes to the NHS
Pension Scheme are unnecessary and unfair and that the timescale for talks is
unrealistic and undeliverable, the Minister offered us no assurances that
anything would change.
In 2008 we negotiated a new scheme which ensured security in retirement for
staff, as well as being affordable and sustainable for the future. This
agreement is now being torn up. We have real concerns that NHS staff fears
about the future of their pension scheme are not being heard and that staff
trust and confidence in the scheme is being undermined by the proposed
changes.
NHS staff feel angry, frustrated and let down by the proposals. Barely 3 years
ago they signed up to a new pension scheme that was designed to ensure it
was affordable and future proof.
Earlier this year, in a letter to Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the
Treasury, Andrew Lansley described the pension proposals as inappropriate
and unrealistic. We had hoped that the Ministers concerns would be reflected
in our discussions on Wednesday, but sadly this did not happen.
We remain willing and committed to continue negotiations at sectoral level
and want to make progress in the talks to head off strike action in the NHS,
but the Minister must start listening and act quickly.
ENDS
Staff side trade unions; Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP),
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), Society of Radiographers (SOR),
Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association, Managers in Partnership
(MiP) RCM, the professional body for occupational therapists, British
Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), UNISON
and Unite.
Key facts on NHS pensions
The NHS pensions scheme was renegotiated a few years ago to deal with
people living longer these reforms mean the cost of pensions is already
falling. The NHS and scheme is sustainable and affordable. It is cash rich with
income far exceeding outgoings by £2bn.
NHS pensions are not gold-plated. The average pension is just £7,000
dropping to £3,500 for women.