Monday, 19th December 2011
The Royal College of Midwives will now be considering the Government’s final position on the main elements of scheme design for the NHS pension scheme as the best that can be achieved by negotiations. The RCM will determine its position in the New Year.
Jon Skewes, director of employment relations and development said:
“Following exhaustive and difficult negotiations with the Government, the RCM and other health unions have today secured a way forward on pensions.
“We still have a lot of detail to work out and we are bitterly disappointed that there has been no movement from the Government on the link to State Pension Age.
“The RCM remains concerned that Midwives will not be able to meet the physical and mental demands of their profession when they are nearly seventy years old. We have secured a review to address the impact of working longer in the NHS with particular reference to frontline staff in physically demanding roles.
“We have also negotiated significant improvements to accrual rates; movement from the Government on fair deal and protection for those nearing retirement including the majority of special classes.
“The RCM will meet in the New Year to consider our position on the heads of agreement and we will continue to negotiate and campaign vociferously to get a fair pension for midwives and maternity support workers.”
For more information contact the RCM Press Office on 020 7312 3456, pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Midwives is the voice of midwifery. We are the UK’s only trade union and professional organisation led by midwives for midwives. The vast majority of the midwifery profession are our members. The RCM promotes midwifery, quality maternity services and professional standards. We support and represent our members individually and collectively in all four UK countries. We influence on behalf of our members and for the interests of the women and families for which they care. For more information visit the RCM website at www.rcm.org.uk.
