Unite to ballot members on NHS pensions’ offer
9 February 2012
Unite, the largest union in the country, is set to hold a
consultative ballot of its health service members on the NHS
pensions’ reform proposals – with a recommendation that they are
rejected – unless significant progress is made.
Unite’s NHS executive, which represents 100,000 health service
members, today (Thursday 9 February) reiterated its total rejection
of the government’s proposals and agreed to hold the ballot
supervised by the Electoral Reform Society.
The government has a self-imposed deadline of 20 February for
the pension negotiations to end. If there is no significant
movement by ministers then, the Unite ballot will proceed.
The prospect of strike action over the NHS pensions’ issue is a
real possibility.
Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey said: ”There have been no
substantive changes from what was on the table before Christmas -
our hard working members will still be expected to pay more, work
longer and get less when they retire.
”Our members are deeply unhappy at the government’s stance and
we will be holding a consultative ballot to reaffirm our members’
position – the prospect of further strike action will be very
real, unless ministers move on their hardline position.
”Unite calls, yet again, for ministers to enter into real,
genuine and meaningful negotiations on the future of NHS pensions
before the deadline of 20 February for talks to end.
”The government’s attacks on public sector pensions are
politically driven, as part of the strategy to privatise the NHS,
cut public services, break-up the national pay agreements, and
disrupt legitimate trade union activities and organisation.
”Unite believes it is important to continue a strong campaign to
maintain a fair and equitable system of public sector
pensions.”
In December, Unite unanimously rejected the ‘Heads of Agreement’
document as a basis for a satisfactory outcome, but the union’s
negotiators have remained in talks with the Department of Health
and will continue to do so. This position has been reinforced at
subsequent meetings.
Unite’s continuing concerns centre on three areas:
- A high proportion of NHS staff will see their pension
contributions jump from the current 6.5 per cent to 9.3 per cent by
2014/15. Contributions will average 9.8 per cent by 2015.
- The linking of the NHS retirement age to the state pension age.
The state retirement age is set to rise to 66 in 2020 and 67 by
2026, with the prospect of working even longer in future decades.
Unite is concerned that, for example, paramedics and nurses could
be doing heavy lifting into their late 60s.
- The career average (CARE) scheme will deliver lower benefits
for many members compared to the final salary pension scheme.
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information please contact Unite communications
officer Shaun Noble on 07768 6939
