Category: retired members

Christina McAnea urges retired members to help campaign for care

Christina McAnea addressed UNISON’s retired members’ conference in Glasgow on Wednesday, calling on delegates to help the union in the run-up to a general election, “in demanding a commitment from your local MPs and candidates, to deliver transformational public services that our country can be proud of”.

The general secretary’s particular focus was on social care – one of a number of “glaring policy issues” that “matter not just to our retired members but to all members”.

She said: “We know that many of us will depend on social care at some point in our lives or will have family members or loved ones who need it.

“And of course, we have 160,000 UNISON members working in social care.”

Ms McAnea pointed out that the fragility of the social care system was laid bare by the pandemic, and today, “it’s in a worse state than ever.

“The NHS will never be resilient unless the care system is thoroughly transformed.

“That’s why we launched a campaign for a national care service. A care service with consistent standards of care and fair pay and conditions for the workforce.”

It would be a service that would put “pride into care, improve the experiences of those who need it, allow their family members to stay in their careers, and put more money into the pockets of a predominantly female workforce.

“We’ve made having a national care service in every part of the UK one of our key demands at the next general election.

“You’ll hear politicians say: ‘It’s too expensive’, ‘Who will pay for it?’”

But as Ms McAnea told conference: “We’ve already paid for it. You and our members still working pay their taxes.

“If politicians are serious about fixing the economy, that’s what they should focus on.

“Because we know that investing in our public services is a way to grow the economy.”

The general secretary also spoke about UNISON’s Year of Black Workers and how, on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Windrush docking at Tilbury in Essex, the union remembered the “pivotal role” those immigrants had on “the birth of our NHS” as so many of them went to work in the new health service.

“But look at how this government treats migrant workers now,” she added. “Demonising them and ignoring the contribution they make to our country and ignoring the impact they have on public services.

“As we enter a general election year, remember how the Tories have been treating us. Remember how they’ve been treating our families and our friends.

“In UNISON, we will champion your rights, the rights of all working people, and for the right for everyone to have a decent, secure, and fulfilling retirement.”

The article Christina McAnea urges retired members to help campaign for care first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Christina McAnea urges retired members to help campaign for care

Christina McAnea addressed UNISON’s retired members’ conference in Glasgow on Wednesday, calling on delegates to help the union in the run-up to a general election, “in demanding a commitment from your local MPs and candidates, to deliver transformational public services that our country can be proud of”.

The general secretary’s particular focus was on social care – one of a number of “glaring policy issues” that “matter not just to our retired members but to all members”.

She said: “We know that many of us will depend on social care at some point in our lives or will have family members or loved ones who need it.

“And of course, we have 160,000 UNISON members working in social care.”

Ms McAnea pointed out that the fragility of the social care system was laid bare by the pandemic, and today, “it’s in a worse state than ever.

“The NHS will never be resilient unless the care system is thoroughly transformed.

“That’s why we launched a campaign for a national care service. A care service with consistent standards of care and fair pay and conditions for the workforce.”

It would be a service that would put “pride into care, improve the experiences of those who need it, allow their family members to stay in their careers, and put more money into the pockets of a predominantly female workforce.

“We’ve made having a national care service in every part of the UK one of our key demands at the next general election.

“You’ll hear politicians say: ‘It’s too expensive’, ‘Who will pay for it?’”

But as Ms McAnea told conference: “We’ve already paid for it. You and our members still working pay their taxes.

“If politicians are serious about fixing the economy, that’s what they should focus on.

“Because we know that investing in our public services is a way to grow the economy.”

The general secretary also spoke about UNISON’s Year of Black Workers and how, on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Windrush docking at Tilbury in Essex, the union remembered the “pivotal role” those immigrants had on “the birth of our NHS” as so many of them went to work in the new health service.

“But look at how this government treats migrant workers now,” she added. “Demonising them and ignoring the contribution they make to our country and ignoring the impact they have on public services.

“As we enter a general election year, remember how the Tories have been treating us. Remember how they’ve been treating our families and our friends.

“In UNISON, we will champion your rights, the rights of all working people, and for the right for everyone to have a decent, secure, and fulfilling retirement.”

The article Christina McAnea urges retired members to help campaign for care first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Pensioners Convention extends solidarity to UNISON members

UNISON members taking industrial action this month have today received a message of solidarity from the National Pensioners Convention (NPC).

In a letter addressed to Christina McAnea, NPC general secretary Jan Shortt said that, as older people, convention members were “much more aware of the cuts and staff losses to services that they rely on in their later years to help them cope with what are sometimes complex health conditions”.

Ms Shortt noted that the NPC was “also grateful for the support that your trade union gives to us as the largest campaigning organisation for older people in the UK”.

She added that, where possible, convention members will support picket lines and concluded: “We send our best wishes to all those taking action to ensure that healthcare services can be properly delivered by staff whose commitment to caring for others is apparent in their everyday work”.

Ms McAnea said: “We are grateful for the support of pensioners and the public. They know what is at stake and that staff do not take the decision to strike lightly.

“The cost of living crisis is hitting both pensioners and workers alike.”

The article Pensioners Convention extends solidarity to UNISON members first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON retired members focus on the cost of living crisis

Hundreds of delegates gathered in Telford today for UNISON’s retired members’ conference, in order to decide the union’s priorities for its 167,000 retired members across the country.

Chaired by Libby Nolan, the conference opened with a short speech from the mayor of Telford, Raj Mehta, who thanked members for their work in providing public services that society relies on.

The business of the day was focused on how the cost of living crisis is affecting the retired population, with subjects discussed including:

  • people being forced to choose between heating or eating;
  • bus passes;
  • prescriptions; and
  • the triple lock on state pensions.

Cost of living crisis

Coming on the day that inflation reached 10.1%, the first motion to be unanimously passed was on increased support for pensioners through the cost of living crisis. 

Irene Humphreys, introducing the motion on behalf of the national retired members’ committee said: “Heat or eat is not just a soundbite, it’s a real choice that people are being forced to make. The cap on energy prices is only guaranteed until next year”.

Earlier this year, 5.3 million people in the UK were choosing between heating their home and eating. Conference heard that pensioners are among those most likely to be worst affected by increases in energy costs.

Bob Deacon, speaking on behalf of UNISON Wolverhampton City local government branch, said: “The ‘cost of living’ crisis is misnamed, it’s an ‘opportunity to raise the rate of profit crisis’.” 

Roger Banister from the North West region told delegates: “Most people within this room can remember when energy supply was provided by nationalised companies, and I can say without any false nostalgia that it was better than how it has become under private ownership”.

Mr Banister added: “I’m sick of the Tory way of running things, and sick of older people suffering as a result of privatised energy control. Let’s take it back into public ownership, and plan it properly for public good, not to private profit”. 

All motions relating to the cost of living crisis were passed unanimously by delegates.

Pensions

Other motions voted through included calls for the triple lock on pensions to be secured in legislation and for the government to increase investment in social care.

These came before Prime Minister Liz Truss confirmed, at the day’s prime minister’s questions (PMQs), that she is “completely committed” to the retaining the triple lock on state pensions, which rules that the state pension must rise each year in line with the highest of three possible figures – inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.

Free prescriptions

One of the longer debates centred on free prescriptions, and the idea floated in February this year by the previous prime minister, Boris Johnson, to raise the age for free prescriptions from 60 to 66.

Introducing the motion, chair of the national committee Rosie MacGregor said: “People aged 60-65 are often prescribed medication for longer-term conditions which they’ll have to take for many years.

“Introducing prescription charges for this age group will mean people don’t take medication, and some patients struggling to make ends meet may be tempted to ration their own medicine or even worse, be tempted to avoid doctors appointments.”

Ms MacGregor urged conference attendees to “stay vigilant” around future threats to free prescriptions, stating: “The government continues to show contempt for pensioners”.

Another delegate noted: “this will have a knock-on effect on people taking their medication. People will be readmitted to hospital”.

Conference also passed motions on free TV licences for over-75s, support for a national care service, improvements to public transport services and a call for UNISON to lobby the government for a commissioner for older people in England. 

In her closing speech (after PMQs), Ms MacGregor said: “Clearly Liz Truss has been listening to us, as today she committed to the triple lock. However, how long is her party committed to keeping her in place?”

The article UNISON retired members focus on the cost of living crisis first appeared on the UNISON National site.

A gamble with pensioners’ lives: retired members confront the cost of living crisis

UNISON’s retired members’ conference will be held in Telford this week, 18-19 October. The agenda includes several cost of living related motions specific to pensioners, from eating or heating to bus passes, prescription costs and state pensions.

Recent statistics show that one in five pensioners – more than two million people – are already living in relative poverty in the UK. 

Chair of UNISON’s national retired members’ committee Rosie MacGregor said: “Retired members are very worried right now. I’ve had several people contact me with their concerns around rising inflation and the cost of living, who are worried about whether they will have enough food this winter.

“People are worried about having to choose between heating and eating, and I’ve already heard from a number of people who are buying blankets because they don’t think they’ll be able to afford to put the heating on. I’m also hearing from people living in rented homes, who are worried about rising rental costs.”

‘I don’t remember in my lifetime a time when things were like this’

Given the rapidly increasing cost of living, the ‘triple lock’ on pensions is a pressing concern for UNISON members, Ms MacGregor said.

“Many of our retired members have occupational pensions, but many people who have worked in low-paid jobs, who did not contribute to pension funds, are reliant on the state pension. There’s no wiggle room for rising living costs.”

The basic state pension is £141.85 per week for those born before 1951, and £185.50 per week for those born after. The triple lock is a rule that means the state pension must rise each year in line with the highest of three possible figures: inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.

Ms MacGregor said: “The government removed the triple lock for this year and have said they would reinstate it for April 2023. But with so many U-turns this government is making, there is no guarantee that they won’t renege on the triple lock.

“I don’t remember in my lifetime a time when things were like this. Liz Truss and the Tory government are gambling with everyone’s lives, particularly pensioners.”

A wealth of experience

UNISON has around 167,000 retired members, and is the only British trade union with a retired members’ group. Retired members have a wealth of experience and knowledge that make them a valuable part of UNISON campaigns and decision-making within the union.

Their conference will also hear a motion to lobby the government to introduce a commissioner for older people in England. This position exists in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

A report earlier this year from the Centre for Better Ageing found that more than 80% of respondents said the government was failing to ensure a decent life for older people, and over two-thirds of 2,000 adults in England surveyed supported the appointment of an independent commissioner to look after the rights of older people.

Ms MacGregor recommends that retired UNISON members who are experiencing financial difficulties should contact There For You, UNISON’s welfare support.

“I know there’s a reluctance among some people, who see it as charity, and either feel ashamed to show how poor they are to someone, or feel like it’s a handout that other people deserve more. But it’s there for a reason, and I always tell people ‘go ahead and do it’”.

Contact There For You

The article A gamble with pensioners’ lives: retired members confront the cost of living crisis first appeared on the UNISON National site.