This November our members face serious threats to their future financial security and reneging of the terms by which they serve in the NHS. Since the Hutton report in March, the RCM has been engaged in intense negotiations with ministers and officials over the proposed changes to your pensions. These proposals mean you will work longer for your pension, pay more and receive less. We are now united with all the organisations representing NHS staff in stepping up our fight to resist these changes.
Although some of the other trade unions with health sector members are balloting for industrial action on 30 November, the RCM, along with the RCN, the British Medical Association and the British Dental Association will not be holding a ballot for strike action at this point. We understand how serious a step this would be for midwives and their support staff, committed as we are to the women and families in our care, but we continue to hold this in reserve as our ultimate response.
We still encourage you, however, to show your dissatisfaction with the proposed changes to the NHS pension and the slow pace of the negotiations. Please support the Day of Action on 30 November by taking part in demonstrations and other activity short of industrial action and showing support to colleagues in your workplace who are on strike. (For the latest news on pensions, check the
RCM website).
As we move into 2012, I know how important it will be for you all to rely on your professional organisation and trade union to represent you through the challenges ahead. Thankfully, you can look forward to the reassurance of your 2012 RCM membership card coming through your door with your renewal pack this month (excepting student members). You will see that we are particularly asking you this year to take a moment to make sure that our record of where you work is up to date. This is essential for us to represent you effectively.
Your member diary reminds you of the benefits and support we will provide for you throughout the year and our new services such as RCM i-folio, which I look forward to launching at RCM conference this week. Although we have been obliged to increase some subscriptions for the first time in three years, to keep up with the rising costs of providing insurance cover and other services, I believe we offer better value to you than ever before.
