News
BMA launches campaign to ensure doctors have say on NHS pensions (added 9/12/11)
The BMA today (Wednesday 7 December 2011) launches a major campaign to ensure
as many doctors and medical students as possible have their say on the future of
the NHS pension scheme.
Along with other unions, it is urging the government to agree to a fair deal on
pension reform. At the conclusion of negotiations, it will seek members’ views
on whether or not they think the offer is acceptable and, if not, what action
they would be prepared to take. A formal ballot on industrial could follow
quickly.
The aim of the 'Your pension. Your future. Your say' campaign is to ensure all
doctors are aware of the wholesale changes being made to their pensions, and are
ready to respond. Crucially, this involves making sure the BMA has complete and
up to date workplace details for members, so they do not lose their chance to
have a say in a possible ballot.
The campaign will include:
- a programme of workplace events across the UK – a mixture of talks by BMA pension experts and drop-ins*
- a new web hub and social media activity, setting out the impact of the changes on individual doctors
- an improved feature on the BMA website making it easier for members to update their details online
- a wide range of new information and feedback materials
Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of Council at the BMA, said:
“Ensuring doctors and medical students are able to have their say on their
pensions is an urgent priority. Major changes to the NHS pension scheme are
already under way. They will have implications for all doctors and medical
students, for many years to come.
“The offer currently on the table is deeply unfair and so far there has only
been some modest improvement through negotiation. All doctors would pay a
lot more, and most would have to work longer for a worse deal over
retirement. Those at the start of their careers face paying up to £200,000
more over their lifetimes, and working until they are 68.
“This is all despite the fact the NHS pension scheme was overhauled only
three years ago, capping the cost to tax payers, raising the retirement age,
and increasing staff contributions significantly.”
Ends
