UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Friday 26 August 2011

NHS pensions strike inevitable?

Yesterday, the 'NHS Together' unions – including non TUC unions such as the BMA, RCM and RCN – met to discuss industrial action tactics if the ongoing pensions negotiations with the Con Den Government do not secure an acceptable outcome:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/
aug/25/unions-plan-smart-strikes-pensions


Last month the Government laid regulations in Parliament to introduce an average 3.2% increase in NHS pensions contributions with effect from April 2012 (workers earning under £15000 will be exempt from the increase and workers earning under £21000 will pay a maximum increae of 1.5%): http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_128710


Talks are ongoing and the formal consultation period closes on 21 October.

UNISON national secretary for health Christina McAnea said: "There has never been full-scale industrial action in the health service. This is the first time all the groups have come together to talk about it. Industrial action in the NHS could be massive. We want to have things in place early, to make sure we can cover everything and ensure we minimise problems for patients. But it almost feels this is inevitable.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/aug/24/unions-plan-nhs-strike-pensions

Scheme specific talks in the civil service, teaching and the NHS are also required to make proposals by the end of October 2011 on how further Treasury ‘savings’ of £2.3 billion in 2013/14 and £2.8 billion in 2014/15 can be achieved.